Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam Practice 2025 – Comprehensive Prep

The correct answer identifies that a solute is the substance being dissolved in a solution. In any solution, there are typically two components: the solute and the solvent. The solute is the component that is present in a smaller quantity and is the one that dissolves in the solvent, which is the substance that does the dissolving and is usually present in a greater amount.

Understanding this concept is fundamental in chemistry and biochemistry, as solutions are a common way to present and interact with substances. For instance, when you dissolve salt (the solute) in water (the solvent), the salt particles spread out and integrate into the water, creating a homogeneous mixture.

The other options provide incorrect or misleading characterizations of solutes. A solute can be a solid, liquid, or gas depending on the context; for example, sugar, which is solid, can dissolve in water. Similarly, gases can also act as solutes, such as carbon dioxide in carbonated beverages. Moreover, it is inaccurate to state that a solute is always present in greater quantity than the solvent; in fact, a key characteristic of a solution is that the solute is typically present in lesser quantity compared to the solvent.