hypotonic
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- (Of a solution) Having a lower osmotic pressure than a comparison solution: A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to another solution, typically the fluid inside a cell. When a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, water tends to move into the cell.
- (Of living tissue) Lacking normal tone or tension: This describes muscles or other tissues that are flaccid, weak, or have reduced firmness and strength.
Usage Examples
- Adjective (Solution):
- Distilled water is a hypotonic solution compared to human blood plasma.
- Plant cells become turgid when placed in a hypotonic environment.
- Adjective (Tissue):
- After the nerve injury, the patient exhibited hypotonic muscles in the affected limb.
- The doctor noted the infant's hypotonic posture during the examination.
Advanced Usage
- In a biological/medical context: The term is often used comparatively. A solution is described as hypotonic another fluid (e.g., "The IV fluid was hypotonic to the patient's serum.").
- In physiology: Hypotonic can describe a state of reduced muscle tone, which is a clinical sign in various neurological or muscular disorders.
Variants and Related Words
- Hypotonicity (n): The state or condition of being hypotonic.
- The hypotonicity of the solution caused the red blood cells to swell.
- Hypotonia (n): A medical term specifically for diminished muscle tone.
- The baby was diagnosed with benign congenital hypotonia.
- Antonym: Hypertonic (adj): Having a higher osmotic pressure (for solutions) or increased tone (for tissues).
Synonyms
- For solutions: Dilute (in a comparative sense), hypoosmotic.
- For tissues: Flaccid, atonic, lax, low-toned.
Related Phrases/Idioms
This term is primarily technical and scientific; it is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions or phrasal verbs.
Adjective
- (of a solution) having a lower osmotic pressure than a comparison solution
- (of living tissue) lacking normal tone or tension