The fact that young Billy (described in the chapter anecdote) craved the ingestion of salt is due to his
A) lack of aldosterone, leading to loss of sodium into the urine.
B) hypothalamic damage.
C) excessive secretion of aldosterone.
D) impaired secretion of angiotensin II.
E) lack of renin, leading to loss of sodium into the urine.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that Billy craved salt suggests that his body was lacking sodium, which could be due to a lack of aldosterone. Aldosterone helps the kidneys retain sodium, so without it, sodium is lost in the urine, leading to sodium deficiency and a craving for salt. Choices B, C, D, and E are not supported by the anecdote or are unlikely explanations for Billy's craving.

The Fact That Young Billy (Described in the Chapter Anecdote)