Question

A person with swollen gums rinses his mouth with warm salt water, and the swelling decreases. Which has occurred? (1 point)
Responses

The swollen gums have absorbed the saltwater solution.
The swollen gums have absorbed the saltwater solution.

The saltwater solution lowers the temperature of the water in the gums.
The saltwater solution lowers the temperature of the water in the gums.

The water in the gums has moved from a high to a low concentration of water.
The water in the gums has moved from a high to a low concentration of water.

The salt in the solution has moved against the concentration gradient.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

**The water in the gums has moved from a high to a low concentration of water.**

This describes the process of osmosis, where water moves from an area of lower solute concentration (the swollen gums) to an area of higher solute concentration (the saltwater solution) in order to equalize the concentrations, leading to a decrease in swelling.