Drowning and Osmosis...

[Aerlinn]

If a drowining person inhales fresh water into their lungs, death occurs rapidly in about three minutes. If a drowning person inhales sea water instead of fresh water, death occurs more slowly taking about six to eight minutes. Use your understanding of osmiosis to explain the differnce between inhaling fresh water and sea water. You will need to consider the relative salt concentrations of sea water (1100 mOsm), blood (300 mOsm) and fresh water (0 mOsm)
I would like some help with this

[Aerlinn]

Does anyone know? =(

[MrMistery]

Yes... Do you understand how osmosis works?

[Aerlinn]

Yes, but not in this question ... otherwise I wouldnt have asked ^^

[Dr.Stein]

Hey, Andrew (a.k.a. MrMystery) is correct, he directs you to explain it by yourself. If you understand the concept of osmosis, you will be able to answer the question.

Ok, I give you more clue:
Compare the concentration between saline:blood and freshwater:blood. This is an idea to answer why the drowning is slowly in saline rather than in freshwater.

Try to write your answer here and let us to correct when you make a mistake. Good luck

[Aerlinn]

Ok, this is my go at the answer, not sure if its correct though.
In fresh water, there are more free water molecules, making the concentration gradient higher, so water diffuses in when you inhale it, more rapidly... but in salt water, there are not so many free water molecules, therefore there is less of a concentration gradient... so water doesnt get in as quickly... ?
But the salt concentration in sea water, would that be more or less than in us? I'm not even sure we even have salt in us... can water diffuse out our lungs into sea water, or is that not possible?

[Dr.Stein]

We HAVE salt in our body fluids, in concentration 0,09 %

You can make a fluid isotonis with our body liquid by mix NaCl (pure) with distilled water and heat as 37 oC, it is called as "Physiological Saline"

[sdekivit]

We HAVE salt in our body fluids, in concentration 0,09 %

You can make a fluid isotonis with our body liquid by mix NaCl (pure) with distilled water and heat as 37 oC, it is called as "Physiological Saline"

body fluid salt concentration is 0,9 % NaCl not 0,09% (physiological salt solution)

[Dr.Stein]

We HAVE salt in our body fluids, in concentration 0,09 %

You can make a fluid isotonis with our body liquid by mix NaCl (pure) with distilled water and heat as 37 oC, it is called as "Physiological Saline"

body fluid salt concentration is 0,9 % NaCl not 0,09% (physiological salt solution)

Oops sorry I am sure this it the time for me to change my keyboard. Last time it types more "a" and then too many "enter" and now too many "0" That's what I mean. Thanks for correction









*throws the keyboard away*

[victor]

I think I've given the answer for this question....back then, someone PM me and ask this question..I think the name is "thetuuch"...

[Aerlinn]

So, the salt concentration in us makes a difference?

I think I've given the answer for this question....back then, someone PM me and ask this question..I think the name is "thetuuch"...

Really? Do you remember what you wrote?

[victor]

Taken from my sentbox:

I think it's due to hemolysis and crenation of RBC...From you statement, my opinion is because of the osmosis mechanism and I see that Hemolysis cause death faster than crenation.
Next time, post your question on the related forum...PM is only used in bilateral chat...
Regards,
Victor

Now I'll add a little...drowning in sea water force you to drink much of sea water. Means that too many water will affect your electrolyte equilibrium and to much of Na+ ion inside the blood vessels will force the water from tissue to the vessels (because of diffusion). So, crenation of tissues occur isn't it?