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Multiple Choice
Imagine someone who drank too much water before running a race. Their very watery blood would have:
A
A higher concentration of red blood cells
B
A lower concentration of solutes such as sodium ions
C
A higher concentration of glucose
D
An increased viscosity compared to normal blood
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Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the concept of blood composition. Blood contains plasma (the liquid portion) and cellular components like red blood cells. Plasma is primarily water and contains dissolved solutes such as sodium ions, glucose, and other substances.
Step 2: Consider the effect of drinking excessive water. Drinking too much water dilutes the plasma, leading to a lower concentration of solutes such as sodium ions. This is known as hyponatremia (low sodium levels in the blood).
Step 3: Analyze the impact on red blood cells. Excess water intake does not increase the concentration of red blood cells; instead, it dilutes the blood, potentially lowering the relative concentration of red blood cells.
Step 4: Evaluate glucose concentration. Excess water intake does not directly affect glucose levels unless there is an underlying metabolic issue. The glucose concentration would likely remain unchanged or be diluted slightly.
Step 5: Assess blood viscosity. Viscosity refers to the thickness or stickiness of blood. Diluting the blood with excess water decreases its viscosity, making it less thick compared to normal blood.