Question

Drinking too much water during exercise can cause a condition in which the concentration of sodium in the blood is lower than normal. What response do you expect to happen as the body tries to restore homeostasis?
A. Cells swell as water moves into them.
B. Cells swell as water moves out of them.
C. Cells shrivel as water moves out of them.
D. Cells shrivel as water moves into them.

Answer 1

Answer: The correct answer is A) Cells swell as water moves into them.

Due to drinking of water during exercise, the concentration of sodium ( solute)  in the blood becomes lower than the normal. The concentration of solvent ( water) will be high outside the cells.

When the body tries to restore homeostasis, the cells swell as the water moves from outside the cell to inside. This is because water always moves from an area of its high concentration to the area of its low concentration. As the solute concentration is low and solvent ( water) concentration is high outside the cell. Therefore, water moves in the cells making them swell.

Thus, the correct option is A) Cells swell as water moves into them.

Answer 2

When the body is trying to restore homeostasis, the cells will swell as water moves into them. This is because the concentration of the sodium in the blood is lower than average.