MCAT Biology Question 101: Answer and Explanation
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Question: 101
11. Due to kidney disease, a person is losing albumin into the urine. What effect is this likely to have within the capillaries?
- A. Increased blood pressure
- B. Increased hydrostatic pressure
- C. Decreased oncotic pressure
- D. Decreased hydrostatic pressure
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
In circulation, plasma proteins play an important role in generating osmotic (oncotic) pressure. This allows water that is displaced at the arterial end of a capillary bed by hydrostatic pressure to be reabsorbed at the venule end. Loss of these plasma proteins would cause a decrease in the plasma osmotic (oncotic) pressure.