An Introduction to

Chemical Mixtures

By David R. Caprette, Ph.D.

Rice University Department of
Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Microscopic Characteristics of Mixtures

 All types are uniformly dispersed.

 Suspension
 minor components are visible in a light microscope

 Colloidal mixture
 minor components are too small to be visible

 Solution
 minor components are uniformly dispersed at the

molecular or ionic level

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Behaviors of Mixtures

 Suspension - particles are  True solutions and colloidal

readily sedimented by gravity mixtures remain dispersed
or by centrifugation. even following centrifugation.

Soil suspension - Hemoglobin

sedimentation by (true solution)
gravity

No change after
centrifugation at
10,000 x g

Suspension of
blood cells - Milk (colloidal
centrifugation mixture)
at 500 x g

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Components of a Solution

 One or more solutes (minor component)

 A solvent (major component)
 A mixture of solvent and solutes is completely uniform
at the molecular level.
 Examples include:
 liquids, solids, or gases dissolved in liquids

 solids in solids

 gases in gases

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Water as a Solvent

 Water is an extremely versatile solvent.

 Water has unique properties.
 Water drops exhibit strong surface tension.

 Drops of ethyl alcohol tend to spread out.

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Structure of Water

 Water molecules have

polarity.
 Electrostatic forces cause
water molecules to
“stick” to one another.
 Surface tension and
solvent properties of
water result from
hydrogen bonding.

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A Sample Solution

 Sodium chloride dissociates

to make sodium and chloride
ions.
 Water molecules surround
the ions.
 Ions are incorporated into
the structure of water.

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Water as the Solvent of Choice

 Water is the most biologically relevant solvent.

 The quality of water is important.
 Tap water

 Distilled water

 Deionized water

 18 megohm water

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