Topic summary
Osmolytes
Extracted from the Wikipedia article Osmolyte.
Osmolytes are low-molecular-weight organic compounds that influence the properties of biological fluids. Osmolytes are a class of organic molecules that play a significant role in regulating osmotic pressure and maintaining cellular homeostasis in various organisms, particularly in response to environmental stressors. Their primary role is to maintain the integrity of cells by affecting the viscosity, melting point, and ionic strength of the aqueous solution. When a cell swells under external osmotic pressure, membrane channels open and allow efflux of osmolytes carrying water, restoring normal cell volume.