hypotonic
Americanadjective
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Physiology. (of tissue) having less than the normal tone.
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Physical Chemistry. noting a solution of lower osmotic pressure than another solution with which it is compared (opposed to hypertonic).
adjective
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pathol (of muscles) lacking normal tone or tension
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(of a solution) having a lower osmotic pressure than that of a specified, generally physiological, solution Compare hypertonic isotonic
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of hypotonic
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Vocabulary lists containing hypotonic
Cell Biology - High School
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Chemistry - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Cells are then made to swell using a hypotonic solution so the chromosomes spread apart.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
In a hypotonic environment, cells tend to swell due to intake of water.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
Freshwater fish live in an environment that is hypotonic to their cells.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
Some organisms, such as plants, fungi, bacteria, and some protists, have cell walls that surround the plasma membrane and prevent cell lysis in a hypotonic solution.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
These particles are drawn along with the water stream which passes from the hypotonic centres or regions toward those which are hypertonic.
From The Mechanism of Life by Leduc, Stéphane
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
