Final answer:
The type of fluid loss contributing to hypovolemia can affect the tonicity of the extracellular fluid. If the loss involves solutes, it can decrease the osmolarity and tonicity, while the loss of water can increase the osmolarity and tonicity.
Step-by-step explanation:
In hypovolemia, the type of fluid loss can affect the tonicity of the extracellular fluid. Hypovolemia refers to a decrease in the volume of blood, specifically the plasma component. The plasma component of blood is a major component of extracellular fluid.
Tonicity describes the amount of solute in a solution, and it is related to the osmolarity of the solution. If the type of fluid loss contributing to hypovolemia involves the loss of solutes, it can lead to a decrease in the osmolarity and tonicity of the extracellular fluid. On the other hand, if the fluid loss involves the loss of water, it can lead to an increase in the osmolarity and tonicity of the extracellular fluid.