t is common knowledge that staying hydrated is beneficial and that electrolytes replenish the body after exercise. But did you know that it too much water or water containing the wrong substances can be harmful?
QUESTION
Prompt: It is common knowledge that staying hydrated is beneficial and that electrolytes replenish the body after exercise. But did you know that it too much water or water containing the wrong substances can be harmful? Apply what you have learned about osmosis and diffusion in Hands On Lab: Cells and Membrane Transport to consider the following scenario:
You are stranded on a desert island. A boat will not be by this area again for 7 days so you need to make smart choices to survive. This sunny island, Puerto Golgi, with an average daily temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit, receives only a few inches of rain per year, so there is very little fresh water available for you to drink.
You have 3 options to choose from and you may only choose one:
1. Drinking all the freshwater from a midweek rainstorm in 1 hour before it evaporates (4 Liters).
2. Drink a small amount of saltwater each of the 7 days
3. Crack open the available coconuts to drink 2L of coconut water each day
Which option will you choose to survive until the boat arrives at the end of day 7 to find you and take you back to the mainland? Each option has beneficial and harmful aspects; there is no perfect choice available.
Through this 2 part discussion with your classmates, you will state your choice, explain how your choice would affect the blood and cells of the body using appropriate and sufficient evidence, and then respond to your classmates posts to convince them why that choice is the optimal one for survival. In other words, you need to know why your choice is the most optimal for the human body and why the other choices would not be.
Remember, no answer is one hundred percent correct so you are not saying that others are wrong, but instead why your choice is more optimal based on evidence. We all want to survive and get each other safely to the mainland.
Part 1: Initial Post (Worth up to 50 points)
• Length: 250-500 words
• State and explain your choice. When stating the evidence, consider the challenges that others may have to your evidence and how you could counter those respectful challenges.
• You will need to use at least 3 reputable scientific references to support your post (not including your textbook). Reputable sources= peer reviewed scientific journal articles, accredited websites, or books. Google, Wikipedia, etc. are not acceptable sources.
o Your information must be credible, accurate, and well supported by evidence. The best sources of information are the research journals and the books as well as webpages maintained by professional societies and organizations. Search for articles and academic material should start with the electronic databases of libraries such as FTCC’s Paul H. Thompson Library (opens new window), PubMed (opens new window) or other such resources. When in doubt about material, use CARS checklist (opens new window) to see if it can be used in discussions and writings.
o You must cite all sources. Citation format must be MLA or APA (Visit the Purdue Owl Writing Lab (opens new window
ANSWER
Survival on a desert island poses a significant challenge, particularly when it comes to meeting one’s hydration needs. In this scenario, where fresh water is scarce, three options are presented: drinking all the freshwater from a midweek rainstorm, consuming a small amount of saltwater each day, or relying on coconut water. Each option carries both benefits and drawbacks, and the choice made will impact the body’s blood and cells. Through an understanding of osmosis and diffusion, we can evaluate the potential effects of each option and determine the most optimal choice for survival.
Option 1 involves consuming all the freshwater from a midweek rainstorm, amounting to 4 liters, within one hour before it evaporates. Freshwater is typically low in solutes, making it the ideal source of hydration. By choosing this option, the body would receive the necessary hydration without introducing excess salts or impurities. The water would be absorbed into the bloodstream through osmosis, moving from an area of low solute concentration (the intestines) to an area of high solute concentration (the blood). This process ensures that the water is effectively transported to the cells, replenishing their moisture levels.
Option 2 involves drinking a small amount of saltwater each day. Saltwater, on the other hand, is high in salt (sodium chloride) concentration, which poses a challenge for the body’s cells. When saltwater is consumed, the high salt concentration outside the cells disrupts the balance of electrolytes within them. Through osmosis, water molecules from the cells would move out to dilute the salt concentration outside, resulting in cellular dehydration. This can lead to cellular dysfunction and, if sustained, can have severe consequences on the body’s overall health.
Option 3 entails relying on coconut water, with a daily intake of 2 liters. Coconut water contains natural electrolytes, making it a potentially viable option for hydration. Electrolytes such as potassium and sodium help maintain the body’s fluid balance and facilitate cellular function. By choosing this option, the body receives both hydration and essential electrolytes, which contribute to maintaining proper cellular and blood function.
Considering these factors, the most optimal choice for survival on the desert island would be Option 1: drinking all the freshwater from the midweek rainstorm. This choice ensures the body receives the necessary hydration without introducing harmful substances like excess salt. The absence of high salt concentration minimizes the risk of cellular dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, thus promoting healthy cellular function and overall well-being.
In conclusion, the understanding of osmosis and diffusion is crucial when evaluating the options for survival on a desert island. While all choices have their pros and cons, Option 1, drinking the freshwater from the rainstorm, emerges as the most optimal for maintaining proper hydration and minimizing the risk of detrimental effects on the body’s blood and cells. By considering the principles of osmosis and diffusion, we can make informed decisions that prioritize our health and survival in challenging situations.
