Question at position 11 Water volume is most closely tied to the presence of which ion?

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The question asks: Water volume is most closely tied to the presence of which ion?

Because the extracellular fluid (ECF) volume largely tracks the amount of osmotically active solutes, especially sodium, the total body sodium content largely determines the volume status of the ECF. Sodium ions (Na+) determine the osmolarity and thus drive water retention or loss to preserve osmotic balance. Hormonal regulators like aldosterone increase sodium reabsorption in the kidneys, which in turn pulls water into the intravascular and interstitial compartments, increasing overall water volume. Conversely, reductions in sodium content or impaired sodium handling can decrease ECF volume.

Why Sodium is correct: Na+ is the principal extracellular cation that governs extracellular fluid osmolality and volume. Fluctuations in sodium intake, renal reabsorption, and aldosterone-mediated retention directly impact water distribution between compartments and overall blood and interstitial volumes. The statement aligns with standard physiology that water follows sodium to maintain osmotic equilibrium across cell membranes and within the vascular and interstitial spaces.

Why the other possible choices would be incorrect (in general reasoning, since the options are not displayed):
- If a different ion were proposed (e.g., potassium, chloride, calcium), those ions influence specific compartments or functions (e.g., potassium largely affects intracellular balance and membrane potential; calcium is critical for signaling and bone health) but are not the primary determinants of overall extracellular water volume. Their fluctuations do not drive water volume changes as directly as sodium does.
- Some distractors might imply chloride or bicarbonate; while these accompany sodium in maintaining electroneutrality and acid-base balance, they do not, on their own, set extracellular fluid volume to the same extent as sodium.
- If an organic molecule or non-ionic solute were suggested, it would generally not have the same magnitude of effect on water distribution as the major inorganic extracellular solute Na+, given the strong regulatory mechanisms centered on sodium and water balance.

In summary, the control of extracellular fluid volume is tightly linked to sodium content and handling, making sodium the most influential ion for water volume regulation.

Question at position 11 Water volume is most closely tied to the presence of which ion?

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Question at position 11 Water volume is most closely tied to the presence of which ion?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

The main substance our bodies are trying to maintain is _______________________.

Question at position 43 How do electrolytes help maintain the body's water balance?By contributing to the osmotic balance that regulates water movementBy absorbing water from the environmentBy producing heat that evaporates excess waterBy turning water into electrolytes

Question at position 40 Which of the following outcomes is most likely when water intake is sufficient?Excess water is stored in muscles for later use.Blood pressure fluctuates significantly.Circulatory and organ functions are impaired.Stable blood volume supports efficient circulation.

Question at position 23 How does the hypothalamus respond when ECF volume rises?By stimulating thirst and ADH releaseBy promoting aldosterone synthesisBy reducing thirst and inhibiting ADH secretionBy increasing epinephrine secretion

Question at position 2 Proper fluid balance is irrelevant to the digestive process because digestive enzymes function independently of water.TrueFalse

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