Satish and Kiran, two college students in search of adventure, embarked on an or

Question

Satish and Kiran, two college students in search of adventure, embarked on an orienteering exercise-but it turned out to be their last adventure. Their compass malfunctioned, and they became lost in desert terrain during the hottest days of summer. One week later, their bodies were discovered in a dry ravine. Pathologists estimated that the students had gone without water for 48-72hours. After reading this chapter and recalling your study of the kidneys in chapter 26, explain the students’ dehydration, homeostatic mechanisms that compensate, and the physiologic cause for their deaths.

Explanation / Answer

Such dehydration is known as terminal dehydration. This occurs when water intake is less than the water lost from the body. If 15% or more body water is lost, it can be fatal.

When the persons drink less water, then glomerular filtration will also be less in the kidneys. As a result ADH will not be secreted by the pituitary. So, least water absorption will occur during urination in the first day of dehydration. The next day, proper urine formation will not be there due to insuficient glomerular filtration. So, waste products (urea) will be accumulated-----> this will result in ECF depletion------> blood volume will be lowered in severe cases (the condition is known as hypovolemia)------> circulation will be effected------> blood pressure will become low------>body's homeostatic function will be lost completely-----> death may be due to accumulation of metabolic wastes i.e kidney failure or due to a heart attack.

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