What would you expect to see in an individual with low levels of blood protein in the capillaries?

• A. Increased movement of fluid into the capillaries from the extracellular environment
• B. Increased blood pressure
• C. A net gain of fluid in the capillaries
• D. Decreased lymph
• E. Edema in the body tissues

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of blood proteins: Blood proteins, such as albumin, play a crucial role in maintaining osmotic pressure in the capillaries. They help retain fluid within the blood vessels by exerting an osmotic pull on water, preventing it from leaking into the surrounding tissues.
2. Consider the effect of low blood protein levels: When blood protein levels are low, the osmotic pressure decreases. This means there is less force pulling water into the capillaries, leading to an imbalance where fluid can move more easily into the extracellular space.
3. Analyze the consequences of decreased osmotic pressure: With reduced osmotic pressure, fluid tends to accumulate in the interstitial spaces, causing swelling or edema. This is because the fluid is not being effectively pulled back into the capillaries.
4. Evaluate the options given: Increased movement of fluid into the capillaries, increased blood pressure, a net gain of fluid in the capillaries, and decreased lymph are unlikely outcomes of low blood protein levels. Instead, the fluid moves out of the capillaries, leading to edema.
5. Conclude with the expected outcome: The correct answer is edema in the body tissues, as low blood protein levels result in fluid accumulation outside the capillaries, causing swelling in the tissues.