Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
The force that pulls water into capillaries is called the __________.
A
turgor pressure
B
atmospheric pressure
C
hydrostatic pressure
D
osmotic pressure
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of osmotic pressure: Osmotic pressure is the force exerted by the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane due to differences in solute concentration. Water moves from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration to balance the solute levels.
Identify the role of osmotic pressure in capillaries: In the context of capillaries, osmotic pressure is responsible for pulling water back into the capillaries from the surrounding tissues. This is due to the higher concentration of solutes (like plasma proteins) in the blood compared to the interstitial fluid.
Differentiate osmotic pressure from other pressures: Turgor pressure refers to the pressure exerted by water inside a plant cell against the cell wall, atmospheric pressure is the pressure exerted by the weight of the atmosphere, and hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by a fluid in a confined space. None of these directly describe the force pulling water into capillaries.
Relate osmotic pressure to capillary exchange: In capillary exchange, osmotic pressure works in opposition to hydrostatic pressure. While hydrostatic pressure pushes water out of the capillaries, osmotic pressure pulls water back in, maintaining fluid balance in tissues.
Conclude that the correct answer is osmotic pressure: Based on the explanation, the force that pulls water into capillaries is osmotic pressure, as it is driven by solute concentration differences across the capillary walls.