Question

worldwide, diarrhea is the second largest killer of children under age 5. diarrhea may be caused by many conditions, but is generally caused by the contents of the large intestine drawing water into the intestine. which panel (a-d) demonstrates the mechanism whereby water enters into cells of the large intestine?

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the mechanism of water entering large intestine cells (osmosis, water moves to higher solute concentration). We examine the panels:

• Panel A: Likely shows solute movement (not water’s osmotic entry).
• Panel B: Shows solute transport (e.g., active/passive solute movement, not water).
• Panel C: Depicts water molecules (the small, two - colored orbs) moving across the membrane, consistent with osmosis (water moving to balance solute concentration, as in diarrhea - related water influx into the intestine).
• Panel D: May show non - water, small molecule movement (not water’s entry).

The mechanism of water entering large intestine cells is osmosis (water moves to areas of higher solute concentration). By analyzing the panels, Panel C depicts water molecules moving across the membrane, which matches the osmotic movement of water into the intestine (as described in the problem context). Panels A, B, and D do not represent water’s osmotic entry as clearly as Panel C.

Answer:

C