Final answer:
Osmotic pressure influences gastric emptying by affecting the release rate of chyme and preventing water loss.
Step-by-step explanation:
Osmotic pressure is influenced by the concentration of solutes in a solution. It is directly proportional to the number of solute atoms or molecules and not dependent on the size of the solute molecules. In the context of gastric emptying, the osmotic pressure of chyme in the stomach influences the rate at which it is released into the small intestine.
If the chyme is hypertonic, meaning it has a high osmotic pressure, it would draw water from the blood into the intestinal lumen, potentially causing low blood volume and endangering the individual. To prevent this, the pylorus slowly releases small amounts of chyme at a time, allowing for proper digestion and preventing overwhelming the small intestine.