Studies in Osmotic Pressure

[摘要] The laws governing the development of osmotic pressure and the effects produced by that agency upon animal and vegetable cells have been exactly determined by experimental study. The nature of the force of osmotic pressure, on the other hand, has, of necessity, been only surmised, because of the limitations hitherto surrounding the experimental study of that force, and the ideas concerning this question are based either on theoretical grounds or on the observations upon the effects of osmotic pressure.In the writings on the subject of osmotic pressure two conceptions of the nature of that force are found.The first conception is drawn from the well known demonstration by van't Hoff of the agreement between the laws governing gas pressure and those governing the development of osmotic pressure. According to this conception, osmotic pressure, corresponding with the pressure of the gases, is exerted by the molecules of the dissolved substance (solute), these being thought of as continually “bombarding” the surface of the limiting membrane.

[学科分类] 生物科学（综合）