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What is a Hypertonic Solution?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A hypertonic solution is one with a high concentration of solutes when compared to another solution which is separated from it by a semipermeable membrane. The property of tonicity is often used to illustrate the biology of the body, with the solute concentration of cells and surrounding fluids being used as an example. Tonicity is related to osmosis, in which fluids flow back and forth across a semipermeable membrane; osmolarity differs from tonicity in that it considers the concentration of solutes that penetrate the membrane and those that do not, while tonicity only considers those that do not penetrate.

If a solution is hypertonic, it means that fluid will flow across the membrane and into the hypertonic solution until an isotonic state is reached. In an isotonic state, the solutions on either side of the membrane have the same distribution of solutes. Conversely, with a hypotonic solution, the concentration of solutes is lower than that of a solution on the other side of a membrane, which means that water will be drawn out of the hypotonic solution and into a hypertonic solution.

Hypertonic solutions are used in water purification, preparation of samples and scientific research.
Hypertonic solutions are used in water purification, preparation of samples and scientific research.

Only solutes which cannot pass through the membrane are considered when evaluating tonicity. Solutes small enough to move through the membrane will naturally distribute themselves as needed in an attempt to even the solution out. In the classic example of hypertonicity, if salts in body fluids rise too much, they cause cells to lose water, shriveling up. This can happen with dehydration, in which water lost by the body is not replaced, leading to an increase in salts. Conversely, people who have consumed too much water too quickly can develop hypotonic body fluids, forcing water into the cells and potentially causing them to explode.

The hypertonic solution has applications outside the body. Osmosis is used in tasks like water purification, preparation of scientific samples, and scientific research. By manipulating the tonicity of a solution to make it a hypertonic solution, the flow of fluid across a membrane can be controlled, taking advantage of the fact that water moves from areas of low solute concentration to areas of high solute concentration in an attempt to even out the osmotic pressure.

Illustrations of tonicity are commonly given in basic science classes with the assistance of dyed fluids which can be clearly tracked as they move back and forth across a semipermeable membrane. Understanding tonicity is also important for tasks which may not immediately lead people to think of science. Cooking, for example, can involve tonicity when fluids are absorbed or expressed. For example, many cooks use the trick of sprinkling eggplant slices with salt to force them to express water before cooking; they have essentially created a hypertonic environment which leads fluid to flow out of the eggplant in an attempt to equalize tonicity.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon356284

What happens to the body if too many cells shrivel up?

anon305875

How could a cell protect itself if it were put into a hypertonic solution?

Armas1313

Osmosis is the process of movement from a hypotonic solution to a hypertonic solution in order to balance the tonicity out. This creates an equilibrium of solutions, without which life could not survive.

Proxy414

Cells placed in a hypertonic solution will shrivel up because of losing water. High tonicity causes water to gravitate toward itself in order to balance tonicity. Low tonicity causes water to go elsewhere. The words "hyper-" and "hypo-," despite sounding similar, are opposites, coming from the Greek words for "super-" and "sub-," respectively. Hyper is above and beyond normal, while hypo is below normal.

motherteresa

Another common example would be adding salt to sliced cucumbers. The salt will draw water out of the cucumber and make it tastier for consumption.

In effect a chemical process is happening where hypertonic solution uses come handy in everyday life.

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    • Hypertonic solutions are used in water purification, preparation of samples and scientific research.
      By: tiero
      Hypertonic solutions are used in water purification, preparation of samples and scientific research.