When Water is Lost,but Electrolytes are Retained

Question

When water is lost,but electrolytes are retained,
A)the osmolarity of the extracellular fluid falls.
B)osmosis moves water from the intracellular fluid to the extracellular fluid.
C)both the extracellular fluid and the intracellular fluid become more dilute.
D)there is an increase in the volume of the intracellular fluid.
E)None of the answers is correct.

Accepted Answer

When water is lost but electrolytes are retained, the extracellular fluid becomes more concentrated, resulting in a higher osmotic pressure. To balance this, water will move from the intracellular fluid to the extracellular fluid via osmosis. This results in a decrease in the volume of the intracellular fluid and an increase in the volume of the extracellular fluid. Retaining electrolytes can help maintain the balance of ions in the body, but the loss of water can still lead to dehydration.