Describe these cells in relation to the solution surrounding them. What do you expect to happen to each cell? Which cell will need to use the most energy to run its Na+/K+ ATPase? Why?

A woman was scheduled for brain surgery, so the doctors wanted to dehydrate her beforehand. They gave her a solute called mannitol, which filtered into her urine. As a result, she produced a lot of urine and became mildly dehydrated. She complained of a dry mouth and thirst.

How could the mannitol have caused her to urinate so much? Draw a diagram comparing her urine and blood and showing what has happened.

What happened to her cells to cause her thirst? Is this normal, or should she be worried about it?

Osmosis practice questions key