Textbook Question
What are fluid shifts? What is their function, and what factors can cause them?
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Ch. 27 Fluids & Electrolytes
Martini, Nath, Bartholomew12th EditionFundamentals of Anatomy and PhysiologyISBN: 9780137854011
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 An Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology25
- Ch. 2 The Chemical Level of Organization34
- Ch. 3 The Cellular Level of Organization29
- Ch. 4 The Tissue Level of Organization24
- Ch. 5 The Integumentary System17
- Ch. 6 Bones and Bone Structure33
- Ch. 7 The Axial Skeleton11
- Ch. 8 The Appendicular Skeleton17
- Ch. 9 Joints13
- Ch. 10 Muscle Tissue12
- Ch. 11 The Muscular System28
- Ch. 12 Nervous Tissue18
- Ch. 13 The Spinal Cord, Spinal Nerves, and Spinal Reflexes22
- Ch. 14 The Brain and Cranial Nerves20
- Ch. 15 Sensory Pathways and the Somatic Nervous System17
- Ch. 16 The Autonomic Nervous System and Higher-Order Functions30
- Ch. 17 The Special Senses15
- Ch. 18 The Endocrine System21
- Ch. 19 Blood31
- Ch. 20 The Heart31
- Ch. 21 Blood Vessels and Circulation26
- Ch. 22 The Lymphatic System and Immunity25
- Ch. 23 The Respiratory System4
- Ch. 24 The Digestive System18
- Ch. 26 The Urinary System31
- Ch. 27 Fluids & Electrolytes30
- Ch. 28 The Reproductive System12
- Ch. 29 Development and Inheritance17
Martini, Nath, Bartholomew12th EditionFundamentals of Anatomy and PhysiologyISBN: 9780137854011Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 26, Problem 12
The osmotic concentration of the ECF decreases if an individual gains water without a corresponding:
(a) Gain of electrolytes
(b) Loss of water
(c) Fluid shift from the ECF to the ICF
(d) All of these
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the key terms involved. ECF stands for extracellular fluid, and ICF stands for intracellular fluid. Osmotic concentration refers to the concentration of solutes (like electrolytes) in a fluid, which affects water movement across cell membranes.
Step 2: Recognize that osmotic concentration depends on the amount of solutes relative to the volume of water. If water is gained without adding solutes, the solute concentration will decrease because the same amount of solutes is now dissolved in a larger volume of water.
Step 3: Analyze each option to see how it affects osmotic concentration in the ECF when water is gained: (a) Gain of electrolytes would increase solutes, potentially maintaining or increasing osmotic concentration; (b) Loss of water would concentrate solutes, increasing osmotic concentration; (c) Fluid shift from ECF to ICF would reduce ECF volume and could affect concentration.
Step 4: Determine which condition prevents the decrease in osmotic concentration when water is gained. Since gaining water without gaining electrolytes dilutes the ECF, the osmotic concentration decreases unless there is a corresponding gain of electrolytes or loss of water to balance it.
Step 5: Conclude that the osmotic concentration of the ECF decreases if water is gained without a corresponding gain of electrolytes, making option (a) the correct choice.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Osmotic Concentration and Osmolarity
Osmotic concentration refers to the total concentration of solute particles in a solution, influencing water movement across membranes. In body fluids, osmolarity determines the direction of water flow between compartments like ECF and ICF to maintain balance.
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Extracellular Fluid (ECF) and Intracellular Fluid (ICF) Compartments
The body’s fluids are divided mainly into ECF and ICF. The ECF surrounds cells, while the ICF is inside cells. Changes in solute or water content in one compartment affect osmotic gradients, causing fluid shifts between ECF and ICF.
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Electrolyte Balance and Water Movement
Electrolytes like sodium regulate osmotic pressure in the ECF. Gaining water without electrolytes dilutes ECF osmolarity, potentially causing water to move into cells. Maintaining electrolyte balance is essential to prevent osmotic imbalances and fluid shifts.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
In a protein buffer system, if the pH increases:
(a) The protein acquires a hydrogen ion from carbonic acid
(b) Hydrogen ions are buffered by hemoglobin molecules
(c) A hydrogen ion is released and a carboxylate ion is formed
(d) A chloride shift occurs
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Textbook Question
Metabolic alkalosis occurs when:
(a) Bicarbonate ion concentrations become elevated
(b) A severe bicarbonate loss occurs
(c) The kidneys fail to excrete hydrogen ions
(d) Ketone bodies are generated in abnormally large quantities
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Textbook Question
Identify four hormones that mediate major physiological adjustments affecting fluid and electrolyte balance. What are the primary effects of each hormone?
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Textbook Question
Drinking a solution hypotonic to the ECF causes the ECF to:
(a) Increase in volume and become hypertonic to the ICF
(b) Decrease in volume and become hypertonic to the ICF
(c) Decrease in volume and become hypotonic to the ICF
(d) Increase in volume and become hypotonic to the ICF
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Textbook Question
When the pH of body fluids begins to decrease, free amino acids and proteins will
(a) Release a hydrogen from the carboxyl group
(b) Release a hydrogen from the amino group
(c) Release a hydrogen at the carboxyl group
(d) Bind a hydrogen at the amino group
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