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Cell Membranes Problem Set

Problem 15: Oral rehydration

Oral rehydration therapy saves the lives of millions of victims of cholera and other diarrhea-producing diseases. This therapy, which requires feeding dilute salts and glucose, is successful because:

A. bacterial damage to intestinal transport of ions is reversed by glucose
B. the active transport of glucose and sodium from the cell to the intestine is still intact
C.

the secondary active transport or cotransport systems of the intestine are still functioning

Yes, cholera secretes a protein toxin that blocks some of the transport systems in the small intestine. Loss of ions and water leads to severe dehydration, electrolyte problems and may cause death. The cotransport systems are still functioning, and an increase in intestinal glucose and ions leads to transport of ions (followed by water) into our body from the intestine. The process of oral rehydration therapy has dramatically reduced infant deaths due to diarrhea and dehydration.

D. the dilute salts and glucose cause removal of excess water from the body
E. the dilute salts and glucose are hypotonic to the diarrhea-causing bacteria.

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