BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The role of a solvent in a solution is fundamentally to dissolve another substance, which is known as the solute. A good solvent interacts with solute particles, effectively breaking intermolecular forces and allowing the solute to disperse evenly throughout the solution. This process is essential in many chemical reactions and biological processes, as it allows for the distribution of molecules and ions, facilitating interactions that are crucial for various functions in living organisms.

For example, water is often called the "universal solvent" because it can dissolve a wide range of substances, including salts, sugars, acids, and gases. This property is vital for processes such as nutrient absorption, waste removal, and metabolic reactions in biological systems.

The other aspects listed do not accurately describe the central role of a solvent. Adding solid content would refer to introducing a solute rather than describing the function of the solvent. Evaporating quickly pertains more to the physical properties of a solvent, which do not define its role in a solution. Finally, solidifying a solution usually refers to the process of crystallization or precipitation, which occurs after the solute has been dissolved and can no longer remain in solution under certain conditions. Thus, the best and most accurate understanding of a solvent's function is that it