Final answer:
The cryoscopic method adjusts isotonicity by increasing solute concentration to match body fluids and prevent cells from shrinking or swelling due to osmotic imbalances.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cryoscopic method is used to adjust isotonicity by increasing solute concentration within a solution. This is done to ensure the osmolarity of the solution is similar to that of the body fluids, which is critical for intravenous solutions like normal saline and lactated Ringer's solution. An isotonic solution corresponds to a state where the solute concentration outside the cell matches the solute concentration inside the cells, resulting in no net movement of water across the cell membrane.
Adjusting isotonicity is important because it maintains cell volume and prevents hypertonicity or hypotonicity. Hypertonic solutions have higher solute concentrations compared to the cell, causing water to leave the cell and potentially lead to cell shrinkage. Conversely, hypotonic solutions have lower concentrations of solutes compared to the cell, leading to water influx and possible cell swelling or bursting.
The cryoscopic method relates to the freezing point depression of the solution, which is a colligative property. This property indicates the concentration of solutes in the solution; therefore, manipulating the solute concentration can help achieve the desired isotonic state when the solutes cannot cross the membrane but water can.