osmolarity |
<chemistry> The concentration of osmotically active particles expressed in terms of osmoles of solute per litre of solution. (18 Nov 1997) |
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osmole |
The molecular weight of a solute, in grams, divided by the number of ions or particles into which it dissociates in solution. (05 Mar 2000) |
osmology |
1. The study of odours, their production, and their effects. Synonym: osphresiology. 2. The study of osmosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
osmometer |
<physics> An instrument for measuring the amount of osmotic action in different liquids. Origin: Gr. Impulse. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
osmometry |
<physics> The study of osmose by means of the osmometer. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
osmophil |
Osmophilic Flourishing in a medium of high osmotic pressure. Origin: osmo(sis) + G. Phileo, to love (05 Mar 2000) |
osmophobia |
Synonym: olfactophobia. Origin: G. Osme, smell, + phobia (05 Mar 2000) |
osmophore |
The group of atoms in the molecule of a compound that is responsible for the compound's characteristic odour. Origin: G. Osme, smell, + phonos, bearing (05 Mar 2000) |
osmoreceptor |
1. A receptor in the central nervous system (probably the hypothalamus) that responds to changes in the osmotic pressure of the blood. Origin: G. Osmos, impulsion 2. A receptor that receives olfactory stimuli. Origin: G. Osme, smell Synonym: osmoceptor. (05 Mar 2000) |
osmoregulation |
<biochemistry, physiology> Processes by which a cell regulates its internal osmotic pressure. These may include water transport, ion accumulation or loss, synthesis of osmotically active substances such as glycerol in the alga Dunaliella, activation of membrane ATPases etc. (18 Nov 1997) |
osmoregulatory |
Influencing the degree and rapidity of osmosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
osmose |
<chemistry> The tendency in fluids to mix, or become equably diffused, when in contact. It was first observed between fluids of differing densities, and as taking place through a membrane or an intervening porous structure. The more rapid flow from the thinner to the thicker fluid was then called endosmose, and the opposite, slower current, exosmose. Both are, however, results of the same force. Osmose may be regarded as a form of molecular attraction, allied to that of adhesion. The action produced by this tendency. <physics> Electric osmose, or Electric endosmose, the transportation of a liquid through a porous septum by the action of an electric current. Origin: Gr, equiv. To impulse, fr. To push. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
osmosis |
<chemistry> The movement of solvent through a membrane impermeable to solute, in order to balance the chemical potential due to the concentration differences on each side of the membrane. Frequently mis used in the popular press. (18 Nov 1997) |
osmosity |
An indirect measure of the osmotic characteristics of a solution, in terms of a comparable sodium chloride solution, now rendered obsolete by the more precisely defined term osmolality. (05 Mar 2000) |
osmotherapy |
Dehydration by means of intravenous injections of hypertonic solutions of sodium chloride, dextrose, urea, mannitol, or other osmotically active substances, or by oral administration of glycerine, isosorbide, glycine, etc.; used in the treatment of cerebral oedema and increased intracranial pressure. Origin: osmosis + therapy (05 Mar 2000) |