the disease kwashiorkor is caused by a diet which is very low in protein. the concentration of proteins in blood plasma is much lower than usual. one of the symptoms of kwashiorkor is swelling caused by build-up of tissue fluid. suggest why this is so.
The low concentration of proteins in the blood plasma causes a decrease in the osmotic pressure of the blood. This decrease in osmotic pressure causes water to move from the blood into the tissues, leading to an accumulation of tissue fluid and swelling.
The swelling that occurs in kwashiorkor, also known as edema, is caused by the build-up of tissue fluid. To understand why this happens, let's break it down step by step:
1. Protein deficiency: Kwashiorkor is caused by a diet that is very low in protein. Proteins play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of fluid in our body.
2. Decreased protein levels in blood plasma: Due to the lack of protein intake, the concentration of proteins in the blood plasma becomes lower than usual. Proteins in the blood plasma, such as albumin, help maintain fluid balance by exerting an osmotic pressure that prevents excessive fluid from leaving the blood vessels and entering the surrounding tissues.
3. Loss of osmotic pressure: With lower protein levels in the blood, there is a reduction in the osmotic pressure exerted by proteins. This leads to a decrease in the force that prevents fluid from leaving the blood vessels.
4. Leakage of fluid into tissues: When the osmotic pressure is inadequate, fluid starts to leak out from the blood vessels into the surrounding tissues. This fluid accumulation is responsible for tissue swelling, known as edema.
5. Manifestation of edema: The swelling or edema typically affects various body parts like the legs, face, and abdomen. This occurs because gravity pulls the fluid downward, leading to edema in dependent areas of the body.
To summarize, the low protein levels in kwashiorkor result in reduced osmotic pressure, allowing fluid to leak from blood vessels into surrounding tissues, causing edema or swelling.
The swelling observed in individuals with kwashiorkor is known as edema. It occurs due to the build-up of tissue fluid in the affected areas. The low protein diet in individuals with kwashiorkor contributes to the development of edema. Here's why:
1. Role of proteins: Proteins in the blood plasma help maintain the balance between fluid inside and outside the blood vessels. They exert an osmotic pressure, which prevents excessive leakage of fluid from the blood vessels into the surrounding tissues.
2. Albumin and osmotic pressure: Albumin, a major protein in blood plasma, plays a crucial role in maintaining the osmotic pressure. Osmotic pressure pulls fluid back into the blood vessels to maintain the balance. However, in kwashiorkor, the concentration of proteins in the blood plasma is significantly reduced due to the lack of protein intake.
3. Decreased osmotic pressure: When the concentration of proteins in the blood plasma is low, the osmotic pressure decreases. As a result, there is less force pulling fluid back into the blood vessels. This leads to an imbalance, with more fluid leaving the blood vessels and accumulating in the surrounding tissues.
4. Tissue fluid build-up: With a lower osmotic pressure, the excess fluid leaves the blood vessels and accumulates in the tissues, causing swelling or edema. The swelling is usually most noticeable in the legs, feet, and ankles, but it can occur in other parts of the body as well.
In summary, the low protein diet in individuals with kwashiorkor leads to a reduced concentration of proteins in the blood plasma, resulting in decreased osmotic pressure. This imbalance causes fluid to leak from the blood vessels into the surrounding tissues, leading to swelling or edema.