Final answer:
Solutes can be visible or non-visible and are evenly distributed within a solution, forming a homogeneous mixture. They are typically present in a lower concentration than the solvent and can be separated from the solution through evaporation or distillation, not by filtration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Solutes are components of a solution that are typically present in a much lower concentration compared to the solvent. They can be either visible or non-visible and are uniform in distribution within the solution, forming a homogeneous mixture. Solutes in a solution cannot be separated by simple filtration because they are not large enough to be retained by a filter; however, they can be separated by evaporation or distillation, which are physical processes that utilize the difference in boiling points between the solvent and solute. An example of a solute is NaCl (table salt) when dissolved in water. Solutes also impart certain properties to a solution, like changing the vapor pressure by impeding the evaporation of solvent molecules, as seen in aqueous solutions containing nonvolatile solutes.