Biology drinking water question?

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njstatechamp

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A girl is lost at sea, without a source of fresh drinking water,. She is very thirsty. Should she drink the ocean water (3% salt solution)? Explain why
 
Nope. She will actually be taking in more salt than water, which will eventually dehydrate her. The ocean is hypertonic as compared with our blood. The increased salt concentration in the blood after drinking ocean water would cause salt to be excreted in large amounts by the kidneys. As the salt is excreted, water will follow by way of osmosis. She will eventually become dehydrated and die.
 
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