Question

One consequence of advanced malnutrition is reduced amounts of plasma proteins in the blood. The condition would most likely cause the osmotic pressure of the blood to:

A. decrease, resulting in a decrease of fluid in the body tissue
B. increase, resulting in a decrease of fluid in the body tissues
C. decrease, resulting in an increase of fluid in the body tissues
D. increase, resulting in an increase of fluid in the body tissues

Answer 1

Reduced amounts of plasma proteins in the blood due to advanced malnutrition would cause the osmotic pressure of the blood to decrease, resulting in an increase of fluid in the body tissues.

Step-by-step explanation:

Osmotic pressure refers to the pressure exerted by the solute particles in a solution, which determines the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane. In the context of blood, osmotic pressure is influenced by the concentration of solutes (such as proteins and ions) in the blood plasma.

In cases of advanced malnutrition leading to reduced amounts of plasma proteins in the blood, the osmotic pressure of the blood would decrease. This decrease in osmotic pressure would result in an increase of fluid in the body tissues.