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Permeability Coefficient

Meaning

The Permeability Coefficient is a quantitative measure in physical chemistry and physiology that describes the rate at which a specific substance, such as a hormone or a drug molecule, can pass through a biological barrier, typically a cell membrane or the stratum corneum of the skin. It is expressed as the flux of the substance per unit area, per unit concentration difference across the barrier. This coefficient is a critical parameter in pharmacology and transdermal delivery, directly influencing the bioavailability and systemic effect of an administered compound. A higher coefficient indicates easier and faster passive transport across the barrier.