Which of the following is not among the three capillary exchange processes listed?

Prepare for the Anatomy and Physiology II Exam with comprehensive questions and detailed explanations. Gain confidence with our tailored quizzes and maximize your exam performance!

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is not among the three capillary exchange processes listed?

Capillary exchange is dominated by diffusion, filtration, and reabsorption. Diffusion moves solutes across the capillary wall down their concentration gradient, a passive process. Filtration is bulk fluid movement driven by hydrostatic pressure differences, pushing fluid out of the capillary into the interstitial space. Reabsorption is fluid movement back into the capillary driven by oncotic pressure pulling water in, largely due to plasma proteins. Active transport, while essential for moving specific solutes across cell membranes, is not one of the primary capillary exchange mechanisms described here. It requires cellular energy and specific transporters, and it doesn’t represent the bulk water and solute exchange across the capillary wall that diffusion, filtration, and reabsorption describe. Therefore, active transport is the process that does not belong with the three capillary exchange methods.

Capillary exchange is dominated by diffusion, filtration, and reabsorption. Diffusion moves solutes across the capillary wall down their concentration gradient, a passive process. Filtration is bulk fluid movement driven by hydrostatic pressure differences, pushing fluid out of the capillary into the interstitial space. Reabsorption is fluid movement back into the capillary driven by oncotic pressure pulling water in, largely due to plasma proteins.

Active transport, while essential for moving specific solutes across cell membranes, is not one of the primary capillary exchange mechanisms described here. It requires cellular energy and specific transporters, and it doesn’t represent the bulk water and solute exchange across the capillary wall that diffusion, filtration, and reabsorption describe. Therefore, active transport is the process that does not belong with the three capillary exchange methods.

More practice questions