Physiological Adaptation Q 314
Nurse Donna is aware that the shift of body fluids associated with Intravenous administration of albumin occurs in the process of:
A. Osmosis
B. Diffusion
C. Active transport
D. Filtration
Correct Answer: A. Osmosis
Osmosis is the movement of fluid from an area of lesser solute concentration to an area of greater solute concentration. In physiology, osmosis (Greek for push) is the net movement of water across a semipermeable membrane. Across this membrane, water will tend to move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. It is important to emphasize that ideal osmosis requires only the movement of pure water across the membrane without any movement of solute particles across the semipermeable membrane.
Option B: Diffusion is the movement of a substance from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. Passive transport, most commonly by diffusion, occurs along a concentration gradient from high to low concentration. No energy is necessary for this mode of transport. Examples will include diffusion of gases across alveolar membranes and diffusion of neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine across the synapse or neuromuscular junction.
Option C: Active transport is the process of transferring substances into, out of, and between cells, using energy. Active transport is an energy-driven process where membrane proteins transport molecules across cells, mainly classified as either primary or secondary, based on how energy is coupled to fuel these mechanisms.
Option D: Filtration is a process used to separate solids from liquids or gases using a filter medium that allows the fluid to pass through but not solid. The term “filtration” applies whether the filter is mechanical, biological, or physical. The fluid that passes through the filter is called the filtrate. The filter medium may be a surface filter, which is a solid that traps solid particles, or a depth filter, which is a bed of material that traps the solid.