A patient suffering from cholera is given saline drip because 

(a) Cl- ions are important component of blood plasma

(b) Na+ ions help to retain water in the body

(c) Na+ ions are important in transport of substances across membrane

(d) Cl- ions help in the formation of HCI in stomach for digestion

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1 Answers

Correct Option (b) Na+ ions help to retain water in the body

Explanation:

Severe diarrhoea, vomiting, watery stools are the chief symptoms of cholera. All these lead to dehydration. The toxin secreted by Vibrio cholerae causes a continuous activation of adenylate cyclase of intestinal epithelial cells.

The resultant high concentration of cAMP triggers continual secretion of Cl-, HCO3- and water into the lumen of the intestine. Administration of saline not only supports the sodium-potassium pump through which water in cell is restored, but glucose is also symported along with sodium.

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