Asked by Sangha Baruah on May 29, 2024
Verified
If a person were to hypothetically drink a very large volume of plain tap water, his/her cells would ________.
A) undergo rapid mitosis
B) crenate
C) not change
D) shrink
E) swell, and perhaps burst
Crenate
Describes a type of cell or cell edge that is scalloped or notched, often as a result of a cell losing water in a hypertonic environment.
Mitosis
A process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells from a single parent cell, ensuring equal distribution of chromosomes.
- Understand the impact of osmotic pressure on cell morphology.
Verified Answer
SY
Stephen YarbroMay 31, 2024
Final Answer :
E
Explanation :
When a person drinks a very large volume of plain tap water, it can lead to a condition known as water intoxication or hyponatremia. This condition dilutes the concentration of electrolytes in the blood, particularly sodium. As a result, water moves into cells by osmosis to balance the concentration gradient, causing the cells to swell. If the swelling is severe, it can lead to cell bursting (lysis).
Learning Objectives
- Understand the impact of osmotic pressure on cell morphology.
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