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Problem 14

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Biology

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Short Answer

Water enters capillaries on the venous end as a result of a. active transport from tissue fluid. b. an osmotic pressure gradient. c. higher blood pressure on the venous end. d. higher blood pressure on the arterial side. e. higher red blood cell concentration on the venous end.

The correct answer is option B: an osmotic pressure gradient. This pressure gradient causes water to enter capillaries at the venous end to balance the solute concentrations within the capillary lumen and the surrounding tissue fluid.
See the step by step solution

Step by Step Solution

Step 1: Understand capillary structure and function

Capillaries are small blood vessels that connect arterioles to venules, facilitating the exchange of nutrients, oxygen, waste products, and water between blood and surrounding tissues. Their walls are composed of a single layer of endothelial cells, which allow for efficient exchange.

Step 2: Evaluate Option A

Active transport is the process of moving molecules across a membrane against a concentration gradient, using cellular energy. While active transport plays a role in transporting various substances across capillary walls, it is not the primary mechanism responsible for water entering capillaries on the venous end.

Step 3: Evaluate Option B

Osmotic pressure is the force exerted by dissolved solutes on a membrane, causing water to move across the membrane in response to differences in solute concentration. At the venous end of capillaries, the blood has a higher solute concentration due to waste products from cells. Consequently, water from the tissue fluid is drawn into the capillaries to balance the concentration gradients. Therefore, option B could be correct.

Step 4: Evaluate Option C

Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood against the walls of blood vessels, driving blood flow through the circulatory system. However, blood pressure is lower at the venous end of capillaries compared to the arterial end due to the resistance encountered as blood flows through the capillary bed. Thus, this option is incorrect.

Step 5: Evaluate Option D

While higher blood pressure on the arterial end of capillaries does contribute to water leaving the capillaries through filtration, it is not responsible for water entering the capillaries at the venous end. Therefore, this option is incorrect.

Step 6: Evaluate Option E

Red blood cell concentration has no direct effect on water entering capillaries on the venous end. Although red blood cells contribute to osmotic pressure due to their solutes, it is not the primary reason for water movement, and thus, this option is incorrect.

Step 7: Identify the correct answer based on evaluation

Based on the evaluation of each option, the correct answer is option B: an osmotic pressure gradient. This pressure gradient causes water to enter capillaries at the venous end to balance the solute concentrations within the capillary lumen and the surrounding tissue fluid.

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