Osmolarity of human serum and of chemical solutions of biologic importance

Hendry, E. B. (1961) Osmolarity of human serum and of chemical solutions of biologic importance. Clinical Chemistry, 7(2), pp. 156-164. (PMID:13713305)

Abstract

With the use of the Fiske Osmometer, the mean total osmolarity of normal human serum was found to be 289 mOsM (S.D., 4), which is equivalent to a mean freezing point of -0.537°. The isosmotic concentrations of some important biologic solutions were determined. It was also found that M/15 solutions of disodium hydrogen phosphate and of potassium dihydrogen phosphate are very hypotonic, and that 3.8% sodium citrate is hypertonic. Hemolysis of erythrocytes in isosmotic ammonium chloride solution can be considerably delayed by the addition of 3.0% glucose to the solution. Isosmotic concentrations of disodium hydrogen phosphate and sodium dihydrogen phosphate were precisely determined, as were pH levels of buffer solutions made from these two salts. The cause of the slight changes in osmolarity that occur when these two isosmotic solutions are mixed is discussed.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: UNSPECIFIED
• Authors: Hendry, E. B.
• College/School: UNSPECIFIED
• Journal Name: Clinical Chemistry
• Publisher: American Association for Clinical Chemistry
• ISSN: 0009-9147
• ISSN (Online): 1530-8561