A Human Who Has No Access to Fresh Water but is

Question

A human who has no access to fresh water but is forced to drink sea water instead
A)will thrive under such conditions, as long as he has lived at the ocean most of his life.
B)will excrete more water molecules than taken in, because of the high load of ion ingestion.
C)will develop structural changes in the kidneys to accommodate the salt overload.
D)will find that drinking saltwater satiates his thirst.
E)will risk becoming overhydrated within 12 hours.

Accepted Answer

Drinking sea water will lead to an imbalance in the body's electrolytes and cause more water to be excreted through urine than what was ingested, causing dehydration. The high load of ions in sea water will strain the kidneys and may cause damage over time. Drinking saltwater will not satiate thirst, but instead intensify it due to the high salt concentration. The person may risk becoming dehydrated within 12 hours, not overhydrated. Choice A and C are incorrect because living near the ocean does not necessarily correlate with the ability to drink sea water without complications, and the kidneys may not be able to adjust to accommodate the high salt intake.