Chapter 2 - Section 2.2 - Study Guide - Assess Your Learning Outcomes - Page 74: 3

Solutions, colloids, and suspensions are three distinct types of mixtures based on the size of particles and their interactions with the solvent. Here are the key differences between these types of mixtures along with examples of body fluids that fall into each category: **1. Solutions:** - **Particle Size:** In solutions, the solute particles are tiny and molecular or ionic in size. They are dissolved uniformly at the molecular level in the solvent. - **Visibility:** Solutions are usually clear and transparent because the solute particles are too small to scatter light. - **Stability:** Solute particles do not settle out over time and remain evenly distributed throughout the solution. - **Examples in Body Fluids:** Many body fluids, such as blood plasma and cytoplasm, are examples of solutions. In blood plasma, electrolytes, glucose, and other solutes are dissolved in water. **2. Colloids (Colloidal Dispersions):** - **Particle Size:** Colloids have larger solute particles compared to solutions but smaller than those in suspensions. These particles are typically between 1 and 1,000 nanometers in size. - **Visibility:** Colloids may appear cloudy or milky due to the scattering of light by the larger solute particles. - **Stability:** Colloids are relatively stable, but the solute particles may settle out over an extended period, requiring gentle mixing to disperse them again. - **Examples in Body Fluids:** Lymph, which contains lymphocytes and other proteins suspended in a clear liquid, is an example of a colloid in the body. **3. Suspensions:** - **Particle Size:** Suspensions contain the largest solute particles among the three types of mixtures. These particles are typically larger than 1,000 nanometers and can settle out when the mixture is left undisturbed. - **Visibility:** Suspensions are often opaque or cloudy because the solute particles are large enough to scatter light significantly. - **Stability:** Suspensions are generally unstable, and the solute particles tend to settle at the bottom over time. They require constant agitation to keep the particles suspended. - **Examples in Body Fluids:** A common example of a suspension in the body is whole blood. Blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, which are larger than the particles in a colloid or solution. These cellular components can settle out when blood is allowed to stand. In summary, solutions consist of tiny solute particles dissolved uniformly in a solvent and are transparent. Colloids have larger solute particles that can scatter light and appear cloudy or milky, while suspensions contain even larger solute particles that can settle out and are typically opaque. Examples of body fluids in each category include blood plasma (solution), lymph (colloid), and whole blood (suspension).

Solutions, colloids, and suspensions are three distinct types of mixtures based on the size of particles and their interactions with the solvent. Here are the key differences between these types of mixtures along with examples of body fluids that fall into each category: **1. Solutions:** - **Particle Size:** In solutions, the solute particles are tiny and molecular or ionic in size. They are dissolved uniformly at the molecular level in the solvent. - **Visibility:** Solutions are usually clear and transparent because the solute particles are too small to scatter light. - **Stability:** Solute particles do not settle out over time and remain evenly distributed throughout the solution. - **Examples in Body Fluids:** Many body fluids, such as blood plasma and cytoplasm, are examples of solutions. In blood plasma, electrolytes, glucose, and other solutes are dissolved in water. **2. Colloids (Colloidal Dispersions):** - **Particle Size:** Colloids have larger solute particles compared to solutions but smaller than those in suspensions. These particles are typically between 1 and 1,000 nanometers in size. - **Visibility:** Colloids may appear cloudy or milky due to the scattering of light by the larger solute particles. - **Stability:** Colloids are relatively stable, but the solute particles may settle out over an extended period, requiring gentle mixing to disperse them again. - **Examples in Body Fluids:** Lymph, which contains lymphocytes and other proteins suspended in a clear liquid, is an example of a colloid in the body. **3. Suspensions:** - **Particle Size:** Suspensions contain the largest solute particles among the three types of mixtures. These particles are typically larger than 1,000 nanometers and can settle out when the mixture is left undisturbed. - **Visibility:** Suspensions are often opaque or cloudy because the solute particles are large enough to scatter light significantly. - **Stability:** Suspensions are generally unstable, and the solute particles tend to settle at the bottom over time. They require constant agitation to keep the particles suspended. - **Examples in Body Fluids:** A common example of a suspension in the body is whole blood. Blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, which are larger than the particles in a colloid or solution. These cellular components can settle out when blood is allowed to stand. In summary, solutions consist of tiny solute particles dissolved uniformly in a solvent and are transparent. Colloids have larger solute particles that can scatter light and appear cloudy or milky, while suspensions contain even larger solute particles that can settle out and are typically opaque. Examples of body fluids in each category include blood plasma (solution), lymph (colloid), and whole blood (suspension).