absorption
(ăb-sorp-shŏn)the uptake of digested food from the intestine into the blood and lymphatic systems. See also assimilation, digestion.
capillary
In the blood-circulation system of vertebrates, the narrowest blood vessel, with walls, only one cell thick, through which molecules can pass to transfer oxygen and nutrients to cells and to remove ...
capillary action
(capillarity)The process in which soil moisture moves in any direction through the fine (capillary) pores of the soil, under surface-tension forces with individual soil particles. Soil moisture in ...
cell membrane
Any membrane that is found in a living cell, especially the plasma membrane, which forms the cell boundary. Other cell membranes include the nuclear envelope; the tonoplast, which encloses the ...
chemiosmotic theory
A theory concerning oxidative phosphorylation in which it is proposed that the electron-transport chain is arranged such that it generates an energy-rich proton gradient across the inner membrane of ...
colligative properties
Properties that depend on the concentration of particles (molecules, ions, etc.) present in a solution, and not on the nature of the particles. Examples of colligative properties are osmotic pressure ...
crenation
n. an abnormal appearance of red blood cells seen under a microscope, in which the normally smooth cell margins appear crinkly or irregular. Crenation may be a feature of certain blood disorders, but ...
desalination
The removal of dissolved salts and minerals from saline water to produce fresh, drinkable water. Commercial desalination processes include: reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, multieffect distillation, ...
dialysis
The separation of dissolved crystalloids from colloidal macromolecules by means of a partially permeable membrane that allows the passage of the former but not of the latter.
diaphragm
The muscular membrane that divides the thorax (chest) from the abdomen in mammals. It plays an essential role in breathing (see also respiratory movement), being depressed during inspiration and ...
exosmosis
The osmotic flow of water or of an aqueous solution from a cell, vessel, or organism into the surrounding aqueous medium. Compare endosmosis.—exosmotic adj.
extracellular fluid
Fluid that circulates around and between the cells of the body and is separated from the intracellular fluid by semipermeable cell membranes. See also osmosis, sodium pump. Compare intracellular ...
hyperosmotic
In osmosis, the side of the semi-permeable membrane toward which water flows. The body fluids of the coelacanth (see Coelacanthiformes) and Chondrichthyes are hyperosmotic, so water flows from the ...
hypertonic
adj. 1. describing a solution that has a greater osmotic pressure than another solution. See osmosis. 2. describing muscles that demonstrate an abnormal increase in tonicity.1. describing a solution ...
hyposmotic
In osmosis, the side of the semi-permeable membrane away from which water flows. The body fluids of marine teleosts and lampreys are hyposmotic, so water flows from the body to the sea. Compare ...
hypotonia
A disorder in which muscle tone, the resistance to movement, is poor and there may be muscle weakness. Can arise from a variety of causes.
hypotonic
adj. 1. describing a solution that has a lower osmotic pressure than another solution. See osmosis. 2. describing muscles that demonstrate diminished tonicity.1. describing a solution that has a ...
intracellular fluid
Fluid inside the cells of the body, separated from the extracellular fluid by semipermeable cell membranes. See also osmosis, sodium pump. Compare extracellular fluid. ICF abbrev.
isotonic
adj.1. describing solutions that have the same osmotic pressure. See osmosis. 2. describing muscles that have equal tonicity.1. describing solutions that have the same osmotic pressure. See osmosis. ...