Definition

A unit used to measure the amount of a substance that affects the movement of water across a membrane in a solution.

Example

The doctor ordered a solution with a specific number of osmoles to ensure proper hydration for the patient.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of an osmole?

Yeah, I think it's related to measuring solute concentration.

Exactly! It's a unit for osmotically active particles in a solution.

That makes sense; it sounds important in chemistry.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Osmole is derived from the Greek word "osme" (meaning smell or odor) and the suffix "-ole" (a diminutive suffix used in chemistry to denote a small or lesser form). The term osmole refers to a unit of measurement in chemistry that relates to the number of particles in a solution, often associated with the concept of smell or odor in the context of osmotic pressure.

Memory Tip

Think of 'osme' which means 'smell' to remember that an 'osmole' relates to measuring particles in a solution, often connected to the concept of odor.

Visually Confused Words