Question

A person takes a concentrated solution of salt. After some time, he starts vomiting. What is the phenomenon responsible for the situation?
a. Exocytosis
b. Endocytosis
c. Endosmosis
d. Exosmosis

Answer 1

Hint:
Concentration salt solution is a hypertonic solution which has lower water concentration as compared to the cell. Therefore it causes exosmosis.

Complete answer:
Concentrated salt solution is a hypertonic solution as compared to the solution present inside the cells of the gut. When a person takes salt solution, the condition in his body becomes hypertonic which causes exosmosis resulting in shrinkage of the cell. The outward movement of water from the cell results in irritation and excessive dehydration which is dangerous. To reverse this process, the body initiates the vomiting sensation to remove the salt water from the body.

Among the given options:
> Exocytosis is a process that is used to transport materials from inside the cell to the external part of the cell by the use of energy. Hence, it is a type of active transport mechanism.
> Endocytosis is a type of active transport during which particles, such as large molecules, parts of cells, and even whole cells, move into a cell. Endocytosis includes pinocytosis and phagocytosis.
> Endosmosis occurs when the water concentration is low inside a cell compared to the surrounding environment, water travels from outside to inside.
> Exosmosis is the vice versa of endosmosis. When the concentration of water inside the cell is more as compared to that outside the cell, the water travels from inside to the outside of the cell.

So, the correct answer is D.

Note:
Osmosis is the movement of a solvent (such as water) through a semipermeable membrane (as of a living cell) into a solution of higher solute concentration that tends to equalize the concentrations of solute on the both sides of the membrane. Exosmosis and endosmosis are two types of osmosis.