In humans, as the rate of salivary flow increases, what happens to the sodium concentration of the saliva?
- Correct answer
It increases, because the ducts have less time to reabsorb sodium
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It decreases, because the ducts reabsorb sodium faster
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It stays the same, because the acini set the final composition
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It decreases, because acinar cells secrete a more hypotonic primary fluid
This question is one of 15 in AFK practice: Biomedical sciences. Test yourself on all of them.
Practice quiz FlashcardsExplanations
Acini secrete an isotonic primary saliva, and the striated and excretory ducts reabsorb sodium and chloride. At high flow rates the fluid spends less time in the ducts, so less sodium is reabsorbed and its concentration rises.
Source: Hall, Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology — oneguy
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