review intracellular extracellular body fluid compartments

Diffusion, or the process of “being widely spread”, is the random movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. Passive transport mechanisms include diffusion, osmosis, and filtration. The cell membrane is selectively permeable, meaning that each cell’s membrane allows only certain specific substances to pass through. These membranes allow almost any food or waste substance to pass through. The ability of a membrane to allow molecules to pass through is known as permeability. The cell membrane separates the intracellular environment from the extracellular environment. Nutrients and oxygen should enter body cells while waste products should exit the body. Total electrolyte concentration affects the body’s fluid balance. Important extracellular electrolytes include sodium, chlorine, calcium, and bicarbonate, and the most essential cation is sodium while chlorine is the most important anion. Important intracellular electrolytes are potassium, magnesium, sulfate, and phosphate, and the most dominant cation iss potassium while the most dominant anion is phosphate. Each chemical element has an electrical charge, either positive or negative. Electrolyte concentrations are measured according to their chemical activity and expressed as milliequivalents. Electrolytes are found in the form of inorganic salts, acids, and bases. Supplemental fluids and electrolytes are often administered.Īn electrolyte is a substance that will disassociate into ions when dissolved in water. External causes of dehydration include prolonged sun exposure and excessive exercise, as well as diarrhea, vomiting, and burns. Dehydration is a deficiency of body water or excessive loss of water. Diuretics are commonly given for systemic edema. Edema is caused by a disruption of the filtration and osmotic forces of the body’s circulating fluids. Edema is the excess accumulation of fluid in interstitial tissue spaces, also called third-space fluid. Overhydration is an excess of water in the body. Normal output occurs as urine, breathing, perspiration, feces, and in minimal amounts of vaginal secretions. Daily output should approximately equal in intake. Approximate levels of intake include fluids 1, 200 ml, foods 1, 000 ml, and metabolic products 30 ml. An adult human at rest takes appropriately 2,500 ml of fluid daily. The heart also plays a role in correcting overload imbalances, by releasing ANP from the right atrium. The RAA system controls fluid volume, in which when the blood volume decreases, blood flow to the renal juxtaglomerular apparatus is reduced, thereby activating the RAA system. ADH regulates the amount of water the kidney tubules absorb and is released in response to low blood volume or in response to an increase in concentration of sodium and other solutes in the intravascular fluids. The thirst center in the hypothalamus stimulates or inhibits the desire for a person to drink. Extracellular fluid mostly appears as interstitial tissue fluid and intravascular fluid. Intracellular fluid functions as a stabilizing agent for the parts of the cell, helps maintain cell shape, and assists with transport of nutrients across the cell membrane, in and out of the cell. Body fluids are divided between two main compartments: the intracellular fluid and the extracellular fluid compartments. The endocrine system uses the release and action of hormones to maintain homeostasis.įluids make up a large portion of the body, which is approximately 50%-60% of the total body weight. The nervous system regulates homeostasis by sensing system deviations and sending nerve impulses to appropriate organs. The major systems involved in feedback are the nervous and endocrine systems. Blood pressure control and maintenance of normal body temperature are examples of negative feedback while blood clotting after an injury and a woman in labor are examples of positive feedback. Positive feedback enhances or intensifies the original stimulus. Negative feedback occurs when the body reverses an original stimulus for the body to regain physiologic balance. Feedback is the relaying of information about a given condition to the appropriate organ or system.Homeostasis is the dynamic process in which the body maintains balance by constantly adjusting to internal and external stimuli. The major anions are chloride, bicarbonate, sulfate, and proteinate ions.The major cations in the body fluid are sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and hydrogen ions.Electrolytes in body fluids are active chemicals or cations that carry positive charges and anions that carry negative charges.Body fluid is located in two fluid compartments: the intracellular space and the extracellular space.Fluid occupies almost 60% of the weight of an adult.Fluid and electrolyte balance is a dynamic process that is crucial for life and homeostasis.

Review intracellular extracellular body fluid compartments