Chapter 6 Vocabulary

Question 1

Cholera

Answer 1

Bacterial infection that causes cells lining the intestines to leak chloride ions. Water follows Cl− out of the cells by osmosis, causing severe diarrhea and the resulting loss of water by the body.

Question 2

Cystic fibrosis

Answer 2

An inherited condition in which chloride ion (Cl−) channels in the plasma membrane are defective. Because Cl− transport is altered, secretions such as sweat, mucus, and pancreatic juice are very salty—and often very thick. Abnormally thick mucus in the lungs impairs normal breathing and often leads to recurring lung infections.

Question 3

Hemodialysis

Answer 3

Blood pumped from a patient is exposed to a dialysis membrane that separates the blood from a clean, osmotically balanced dialysis fluid. Small solutes such as urea and various ions can diffuse through the membrane to reach an equilibrium, thus removing them from the blood.