The amount of solute (in moles) that can dissolve in

Definition
a unit volume of solvent under specified conditions

At a constant temperature, the amount of a

given gas that dissolves in a given type and The process by which a substance moves
Definition
amount of liquid is directly proportional to the from an area of high concentration to low
partial pressure of that gas in equilibrium with
that liquid
Speed of diffusion molecular motion
indefinite spread
Cx = kH . Px
Henrys Law
Cx = [gas] Solubility Diffusion is faster in gases due to less density
kH = Henrys Law Constant less collisions
Px = Partial pressure of the gas in solution
Gases VS Liquid, Hot VS Cold
General
Faster if warmer due to Ek
Depends on the gas, the solvent and the
temperature (solubility falls as temperature )
Diffusion is always passive
Solubility of solids or gases in liquids is
measured in moles (amount per unit volume) Solubility
Coefficients for Flow VS Diffusion Flow: P to P
gases and liquids Net movement
Temperature specific
Diffusion: [ ] to [ ]

Definition
The ratio of concentrations of a substance in 2 Selectively Permeable membranes allow
phases of 2 immiscible solvents at equilibrium solutions to reach equilibrium by allowing
passage of the solvent as well as solutes to a
selected extent, usually based on size
What it means: Membrane Permeability
If one phase of substance A (e.g. Gas) is in
contact with another phase of substance B Semi-permeable membranes allow solutions
(e.g. Blood), and A contains a certain amount to reach equilibrium by allowing passage of
of substance C (e.g. NO), what percentage the solvent only, not solutes, and do not exist
of C will pass from A to B if A and B are of Partition coefficient in the biological world
equal volumes and immiscible Diffusion
I.e. the tendency of a solute to dissolve in
different immiscible solvents (phases) The rate of transfer of a gas across a
membrane is directly proportional to the tissue
surface area and the difference in partial
Annotation: (source, destination) pressures of the gas between the two sides
(concentration gradient), and inversely
proportional to the tissue thickness
Temperature dependent
Ficks Diffusion Equation
V = D.(A/T).P
The ratio of the concentration of an
Eventually V = (S/).(A/T).P
Anaesthetic agent in a certain volume of Ficks Law
blood, to that in an equal volume of gas, in Partition Coefficient
contact with that blood, at equilibrium
A = Surface Area
Blood/gas partition coefficient T = Tissue thickness
P = Concentration Gradient
High Long onset of action and prolonged
elimination time (due to lower partial pressure
of affinity for blood) Membrane Permeability
The lower the better D = Diffusion constant:
Diffusion, Osmosis, Solubility
Properties of the gas (density, solubility)
The ratio of the concentration of an
Anaesthetic agent in a certain volume of
oil, to that in an equal volume of gas, in The rate at which gases diffuse is inversely
contact with that oil, at equilibrium Oil/gas partition coefficient proportional to the square root of their
densities
Diffusion rate 1 / density
Measures potency the higher the better Grahams Law

But density molecular mass

The minimum alveolar concentration of vapor And, also, Diffusion rate solubility, so:
required to prevent a reflex response to skin D = solubility / (molecular mass)
incision in 50% of patients
MAC
Driven by concentration gradient (partial
It is a measure of Anaesthetic potency pressure difference) on either side of a semi-
permeable membrane which applies at
alveolar level and tissue level
Properties of solutions that depend
on the the number of molecules of
solute in a given volume of solvent Thickness e.g. Fibrosing Alveolitis

e.g. Vapor Pressure, Osmotic Pressure, Alveolar factors that will compromise Surface Area e.g. Emphysema
variations in Boiling and Freezing Point diffusion and hence gas exchange

Concentration Gradient e.g. Impaired

Adding a non-volatile solute increases
Vapor pressure and hence boiling point, Colligative Properties Diffusion of Respiratory and pulmonary circulation
and decreases freezing point, due to Anaesthetic Gases
increased inter particle (intermolecular or
ion-dipole) forces acting on the solvent Anaesthetic gases follow the same diffusion characteristics as CO
molecules + surface exposure of sufficient delivered Anaesthetic agent adequate blood concentration
solvent molecules due to solute particles

Rubber absorbs volatile gases and will continue

The rise in vapor pressure of a to release even after gases switched off
solvent is proportional to the Raoults Law
molar concentration of the solute
Colligative Properties of Solutions Avoid NO in a patient who has been diving
due to the possibility that any residual tissue
Depend on the identity of bubbles will expand when exposed to
Non-colligative properties
the solute and solvent administered NO by diffusion into the bubble

Measures osmotic pressure due to its relation Lung Function test of pulmonary
to a colligative property (freezing point) diffusing capacity

The sample is stirred while being cooled until it Diffusion of a solvent (from hypotonic to
freezes in a slush-like state which is the Osmometer: Freezing point change Definition hypertonic) across a membrane while the
equilibrium between ice and liquid solute remains (semi-permeable membrane)
Osmosis

A highly sensitive thermistor measures the The pressure required to stop flow from one
Osmotic Pressure
very small changes in freezing point side of the membrane to the other

Vapor pressure is measured in sweat samples

and then matched to the vapor pressure (reading) Osmometer: Vapor P change and Sweat Test
of water containing that amount of salts