How does the addition of a carbohydrate modular to increase caloric density affect osmolarity?

• A. Will decrease the osmolarity.
• B. Will not change the osmolarity.
• C. Will increase the osmolarity.
• D. Causes unpredictable osmolarity changes.

Answer: (C)

Osmolarity rises with added solute particles. When a carbohydrate modular is added to increase caloric density, you’re introducing more carbohydrate molecules into the solution. Those molecules are osmotically active, so the total number of osmotically active particles per liter increases, driving up osmolarity. This is a direct, predictable consequence of adding solutes—the calories come from more solute, and the osmotic pressure they generate increases accordingly.