Study for the Medical Chemistry Test. Explore multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get exam-ready with engaging quizzes and comprehensive study materials.

Multiple Choice

What is the term for the substance dissolved in a solution?

In a solution, the substance dissolved is called the solute. The part doing the dissolving is the solvent—the medium in which the solute dispersed. The solute can be ions or molecules, depending on the substance and how it behaves in the solvent; for example, table salt dissolves in water and forms Na+ and Cl− ions, yet the dissolved substance is still referred to as the solute. The term solvent would be the dissolving medium, not the dissolved substance, and ions or molecules describe the state of the dissolved particles rather than the general term for the dissolved component.

In a solution, the substance dissolved is called the solute. The part doing the dissolving is the solvent—the medium in which the solute dispersed. The solute can be ions or molecules, depending on the substance and how it behaves in the solvent; for example, table salt dissolves in water and forms Na+ and Cl− ions, yet the dissolved substance is still referred to as the solute. The term solvent would be the dissolving medium, not the dissolved substance, and ions or molecules describe the state of the dissolved particles rather than the general term for the dissolved component.