Hypotonic Meaning and Definition
Hypotonic
Pronunciation
/hɪpəˈtɒnɪk/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A solution or colloidal system that has a concentration of solutes lower than that of the surrounding solvent, causing osmotic pressure to flow into the solution from the surrounding solvent.
Examples
- The doctor described the patient’s condition as hypotonic, requiring fluid replacement to stabilize their electrolyte levels.
- Hypotonic solutions are often used in medical procedures to dilute chemicals or treat certain medical conditions.
- In the biological sense, hypotonic environments can be found in certain ecosystems, where an organism’s cell membrane can become permeable due to the solution’s low concentration of solutes.
- The researcher studied the effects of hypotonic solutions on cell growth and development.
- In chemistry, hypotonic reactions involve the transfer of particles from a solution with a higher concentration to one with a lower concentration.
Synonyms
- Hypotonic solution
- Hypotonic environment
- Hypotonic reaction
Antonyms
- Hypertonic
- Iso tonic
Etymology
The term ‘hypotonic’ comes from the Greek words ‘hypo’ meaning ‘under’ and ‘tonos’ meaning ‘tension’ or ‘stretching’, literally meaning ‘under tension’ or ‘reduced tension’.
Usage Notes
In scientific contexts, hypotonic refers to the properties of a solution, whereas in biological contexts, it usually refers to an organism’s cell or environment.
Cultural References
Notable mentions: In molecular biology, hypotonic solutions play a crucial role in DNA cloning and gene expression.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
None found.
Related Words or Phrases
- Isotonic
- Hypertonic
- IsoIonic
Collocations
- Hypotonic solution
- Hypotonic environment
- Hypotonic reaction
Frequency of Use
Hypotonic is a relatively rare term in everyday language, used mostly in scientific and medical contexts.
Common Misspellings
- Hypotonik
- Hypotonis