GMS 6530 CERTIFICATION EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS 2026
▶ is the osmolality the same of different between the ICF and ECF.
Answer: the same
about 290-300 mosm/kg H2O
▶ why is osmotic equilibrium possible. Answer: the cell membrane is freely
permeable to water
▶ in which direction does water move. Answer: from low to high
concentration
▶ what is an isotonic solution. Answer: no osmotic gradient
no water movement
healthy cell
▶ what is a hypertonic solution. Answer: more particles outside cell than
inside cell
water leaves cell
cell shrinks
▶ what is a hypotonic solution. Answer: more particles inside cell than
outside
water moves in
cell swells and bursts (hemolysis)
▶ what happens to the cell when you add pure water to the solution.
Answer: both ICFV and ECFV expand
osmolality falls
water will flow from blood to plasma across barrier into cell
, ▶ what happens to the cell when you add isotonic NaCl (IV infusion).
Answer: no change in volume in ICFV
ECFV expands bc NaCl can't cross membrane
no water movement across barrier
no change in osmolality
infusion is isoosmotic
▶ what happens to the cell when you add pure NaCl (eat a very salty
meal). Answer: ICFV shrinks
ECFV expands
osmolality increases everywhere
water leaves cell
▶ what is a hypertonic contraction. Answer: happens during heavy
sweating
dehydration
loss of excess water without loss of NaCl
both ECF and ICF volumes decrease
increase in osmolality due to excess loss of H2O
▶ what is an isotonic contraction. Answer: equivalent loss of salt and H2O
diarrhea, vomiting
cardiovascular collapse
decrease in ECF only
▶ what is a hypotonic contraction. Answer: loss of salt without loss of
water
adrenal insufficiency
decrease in ECF
increase in ICF
cell swells
▶ what is responsible for maintaining constant volume and composition of
body fluids in the long term. Answer: kidneys
▶ where are the receptors for water soluble and lipid insoluble hormones
located. Answer: cell surface/plasma membrane
▶ why can a small amount of hormone elicit a large response in the cell.
Answer: amplification
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS 2026
▶ is the osmolality the same of different between the ICF and ECF.
Answer: the same
about 290-300 mosm/kg H2O
▶ why is osmotic equilibrium possible. Answer: the cell membrane is freely
permeable to water
▶ in which direction does water move. Answer: from low to high
concentration
▶ what is an isotonic solution. Answer: no osmotic gradient
no water movement
healthy cell
▶ what is a hypertonic solution. Answer: more particles outside cell than
inside cell
water leaves cell
cell shrinks
▶ what is a hypotonic solution. Answer: more particles inside cell than
outside
water moves in
cell swells and bursts (hemolysis)
▶ what happens to the cell when you add pure water to the solution.
Answer: both ICFV and ECFV expand
osmolality falls
water will flow from blood to plasma across barrier into cell
, ▶ what happens to the cell when you add isotonic NaCl (IV infusion).
Answer: no change in volume in ICFV
ECFV expands bc NaCl can't cross membrane
no water movement across barrier
no change in osmolality
infusion is isoosmotic
▶ what happens to the cell when you add pure NaCl (eat a very salty
meal). Answer: ICFV shrinks
ECFV expands
osmolality increases everywhere
water leaves cell
▶ what is a hypertonic contraction. Answer: happens during heavy
sweating
dehydration
loss of excess water without loss of NaCl
both ECF and ICF volumes decrease
increase in osmolality due to excess loss of H2O
▶ what is an isotonic contraction. Answer: equivalent loss of salt and H2O
diarrhea, vomiting
cardiovascular collapse
decrease in ECF only
▶ what is a hypotonic contraction. Answer: loss of salt without loss of
water
adrenal insufficiency
decrease in ECF
increase in ICF
cell swells
▶ what is responsible for maintaining constant volume and composition of
body fluids in the long term. Answer: kidneys
▶ where are the receptors for water soluble and lipid insoluble hormones
located. Answer: cell surface/plasma membrane
▶ why can a small amount of hormone elicit a large response in the cell.
Answer: amplification
