Kelvin got his wisdom teeth removed and his mouth is swollen. His doctor tells him to rinse his mouth with a warm saltwater solution every few hours. How does the saltwater solution help heal Kelvin's mouth?
a
The salt water is a hypertonic solution, and the swollen cells in Kelvin's mouth will take in water through diffusion.
b
The salt water is a hypotonic solution, and the swollen cells in Kelvin's mouth will take in water through osmosis.
c
The salt water is a hypertonic solution, and the swollen cells in Kelvin's mouth will release water through osmosis.
d
The salt water is a hypotonic solution, and the swollen cells in Kelvin's mouth will release water through diffusion.
c
The salt water is a hypertonic solution, and the swollen cells in Kelvin's mouth will release water through osmosis.
b. The salt water is a hypotonic solution, and the swollen cells in Kelvin's mouth will take in water through osmosis.
b
The saltwater solution helps heal Kelvin's mouth by acting as a hypotonic solution. When Kelvin rinses his mouth with the warm saltwater solution, the salt concentration in the solution is lower than that inside his swollen cells. This creates a concentration gradient across the cell membrane.
Through the process of osmosis, water molecules move from an area of lower solute concentration (the solution) to an area of higher solute concentration (the swollen cells). This influx of water helps to hydrate the cells and reduce swelling, promoting healing.
Therefore, option b is the correct answer.