ABSTRACT
After reading the following chapter and undertaking personal study, you should be able to:
Identify three states of matter and describe what happens when a substance undergoes a change of state.
Describe the structure of the water molecule and distinguish between polar and non-polar molecules.
Distinguish between forces of cohesion and adhesion and describe meniscus formation.
Describe what is meant by the term ‘surface tension’ and give practical examples of surface-tension effects, including those encountered in clinical practice.
Distinguish between different types of aqueous mixture and give examples of each found in clinical practice.
Distinguish between electrolytes and non-electrolytes and give examples of each found in clinical practice.
Define the term ‘concentration’ and explain the different units commonly used to express it in clinical practice, including percentage concentration and molarity.
Explain the physical processes diffusion, osmosis and filtration and give examples of each.
Define the terms ‘osmotic pressure’, ‘osmolarity’, ‘osmolality’ and ‘tonicity’ and apply these to clinical practice.
Define the term ‘oedema’ and indicate possible causes in clinical practice.
Outline the means by which the body maintains sodium and water balance.
Briefly describe dialysis.
