How was osmosis involved in causing Clark's seizures?

• A. A rapid change in blood osmolarity caused water to move into Clark's brain cells, leading to swelling and triggering seizures.
• B. Clark's kidneys stopped filtering water due to osmosis, resulting in dehydration and seizures.
• C. Osmosis increased the production of neurotransmitters in Clark's brain, causing excessive neural activity and seizures.
• D. Osmosis caused sodium ions to accumulate in Clark's bloodstream, directly stimulating neurons to fire uncontrollably.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of osmosis: Osmosis is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. This process is driven by differences in osmolarity (solute concentration).
2. Analyze the scenario: Clark's seizures are linked to changes in blood osmolarity. A rapid change in blood osmolarity can cause water to move into or out of cells, depending on the direction of the osmotic gradient.
3. Focus on brain cells: If blood osmolarity decreases rapidly (hypotonic condition), water will move into brain cells due to osmosis, causing them to swell. Swelling of brain cells can increase intracranial pressure and disrupt normal neural function, potentially triggering seizures.
4. Eliminate incorrect options: Osmosis does not directly increase neurotransmitter production, nor does it cause sodium ions to accumulate in the bloodstream to stimulate neurons. These options are not consistent with the biological mechanism of osmosis.
5. Conclude the correct explanation: The correct answer involves the rapid change in blood osmolarity leading to water movement into Clark's brain cells, causing swelling and triggering seizures. This aligns with the biological principles of osmosis and its effects on cell volume and function.