Kyle Davidek
6*
Edema Extra Credit
1. During what type of cellular transportation do you think edema could occur?
Edema can and does occur during the process of filtration when permeability of the capillary walls increases due to an increase in hydrostatic pressure. One example of a sharp increase in hydrostatic pressure would be caused by heart failure.
2. Explain how filtration occurs within the body.
Filtration is the process by which water and solutes are pushed through the membranes of capillaries due to the hydrostatic pressure generated by the cardiovascular system.
3. Does filtration involve water? If so explain.
Filtration plays heavily in its need for water. Osmotic pressure exerted by osmosis acts in the opposite direction to the hydrostatic pressure providing stability for the capillary. If the osmotic pressure overcomes the hydrostatic pressure, then the capillary will collapse, while an over abundance of hydrostatic pressure will tend to make the capillary wall stretch and become more permeable.
4. Is osmosis part of the edema process? Explain.
Osmosis plays a small part in the edema process. The osmotic pressure resulting from the process of osmosis assists in the stability of the capillary wall and the flow rate at which solutes leave the capillary wall. The lack of osmosis all together would cause extreme edema due to no countering force, which equalizes the flow rate from the capillary.
5. How does the intake of salt effect edema?
The intake of salt is an important factor in the cause and solution to edema. In the event that the salt concentration isn’t properly balanced, such as the case when salt retention occurs, the kidneys play the role of retaining the salt and thereby increasing the fluid retention. To counteract this strong diuretics can be given to compensate for the lack of kidney response to bodily salinity. If the body’s ability to handle salts is balanced the body can handle a varied condition of salt intake from mild to extreme with little to no ill effects.