Body Fluids

Body fluid compartments

Describe the organization of body fluid compartments with
reference to:
Water occupies two main fluid compartments within the body
Intracellular spaces
Almost 2/3s by volume is in the intracellular fluid compartment, which
consists of trillions of tiny compartments: the cells
Intracellular fluids: plasma membrane of cells separates from
extracellular fluids
In a 70Kg male: 25L of 40L of body water
Extracellular spaces (including interstitial and intravascular spaces)
The remaining 1/3 of water is outside the cells in the extra-cellular fluid
compartment, constitutes the body’s internal environment (the external
environment of each cell)
Interstitial fluid the fluid in the microscopic spaces between tissue cells
Plasma (intravascular space): the fluid portion of blood

Body water 60% (Intracellular 40% and Extracellular 20%)

Extracellular: Interstitial 80% and plasma 20%
Solids 40%
Constituents of body fluid compartments
Describe the constituents of body fluid compartments with
reference to:
Differences in electrolyte concentrations in the different compartments
 Plasma: fewer chloride ions than interstitial fluid because non-
penetrating plasma proteins are normally anion and plasma is
electrically neutral
 ECF: chief cation is sodium and major anion is chloride.
 INF: contains only small amounts of sodium and chloride ions. Its
most abundant cation is potassium and its major anion is HPO42-.
Differences in concentrations of organic substances, including albumin,
in the different compartments
 Plasma: high protein content
 ECF: similar protein content to plasma
 ICF: contain substantial quantities of soluble proteins (3 times the
amount found in plasma)
Movement of water and solutes through
membranes
Describe the generation of osmotic forces
A rise in plasma osmolality triggers: thirst and release of ADH, which
causes the kidneys to conserve water and excrete, concentrated urine.
Oncotic forces are created due to the inability of certain blood proteins
(mostly serum albumin) to pass through the walls of capillaries, creating
about 25mmHg pressure within the capillary
Osmotic pressure is the minimum pressure, which needs to be applied
to a solution to prevent the inward flow of water across a semipermeable
membrane.
- The semi-permeable membrane doesn’t usually allow ions to pass,
thus water needs to diffuse from a low to a high solute
concentration
Stimuli, which activate water intake:
 Osmoreceptors (hypothalamus)
 Dry mouth
 A decrease in blood volume (pressure)
Define the concepts of osmolarity, osmolality and tonicity
Osmolarity is a measure of solute concentration, defined as the number
of osmoles (Osm) of solute per litre (L) of solution (osmol/L or Osm/L).
Osmolality is a measure of solute concentration, defined as the number
of the osmoles (Osm) of solute per kilogramme of solvent (osmol/kg or
Osm/kg).
Tonicity: the ability of a solution to change the shape of cells by altering
their internal water volume. Tonicity is the effective osmolality and is
equal to the sum of the concentrations of the solutes, which have the
capacity to exert an osmotic force across the membrane. Think of turgor
pressure. Cells that are hypotonic will swell and burst, cells that are
hypertonic will shrivel up and die

Define the following terms and describe what affects them:

Hydrostatic pressure: is generated by the systolic force of the heart. It
pushes water out of the capillaries. An increase can result from
o Incompetent venous valves
o Localized blood vessel blockage
o Congestive heart failure
o High blood volume
Oncotic pressure is a form of osmotic pressure exerted by proteins,
notably albumin, in a blood vessel's plasma (force opposing hydrostatic
pressure).
Molecules which draw water towards themselves (encourage osmosis)
Capillary oncotic pressure is higher due to the plasma proteins in
comparison to the low oncotic pressure found in the interstitial fluid.

Describe the mechanisms of membrane transport including

diffusion, osmosis and carrier-mediated transport
These mechanisms occur though a barrel arrangement of trans-
membrane proteins in the cell plasma membrane creating a hole.
Osmosis: the tendency of water to pass through a semipermeable
membrane into a solution where the solvent is higher in concentration.
Simple diffusion means that the molecules can pass directly through the
membrane. Diffusion is always down a concentration gradient. This limits
the maximum possible concentration of the molecule inside the cell. The
speed of diffusion is dependent only on the concentration gradient. The
trans-membrane protein = ion channel. E.g. gas exchange in alveoli. Fat-
soluble molecules can just diffuse through the bi-lipid membrane
Facilitated diffusion is process of spontaneous passive transport of
molecules or ions across a biological membrane down a concentration
gradient via specific trans-membrane integral proteins. Each carrier has
its own shape and only allows one molecule (or one group of closely
related molecules) to pass through. The speed of facilitated transport is
limited by the number of protein channels available. E.g. glucose, amino
acids, K+, Na+, and Cl-. The trans-membrane protein = Protein channel
Carrier-mediated transport: The passage of glucose, amino acids, and
other polar molecules through the cell membrane is mediated by binding
of the substrate to a carrier protein in the cell membrane. It exhibits the
properties of specificity, competition, and saturation. Can be passive or
active

Describe the factors that influence the movement of water

solutes across cell membrane with reference to the role of:
Osmotic Gradient
Water will move down the concentration gradient according to osmosis.
High concentration of solutes/ions creates osmotic gradient, where ions
move through ion channel from high to low concentrations.

Ion channels
 Leakage channels: always open and simply allow ion or water to
move according to concentration gradients.
 Gated channels: controlled by chemical or electrical signals.

Active transport systems

The transfer of a substance across a cell membrane against its
concentration gradient that requires the use of ATP. Eg,
Sodium/potassium pump in cell membranes
Describe the factors that influence the movement of water
solutes across capillary endothelial membranes with
reference to the role of
Capillary hydrostatic and oncotic pressures
A capillary is semi-permeable, only allowing water through and not
proteins
Capillary hydrostatic pressure tends to force fluids through capillary walls
leaving behind cells and most proteins.
At arteriole end of capillary, hydrostatic pressure > oncotic pressure, so
water moves out of capillary into interstitial fluid.
At venial end of capillary, hydrostatic pressure < oncotic pressure, so
water moves into capillary from interstitial fluid.

Interstitial hydrostatic and oncotic pressures

Interstitial fluid hydrostatic pressure acts on the outside of the capillaries
and pushes fluid in. Varies from slightly negative to slightly positive but it
is assumed to be zero.
Interstitial oncotic pressure is substantially lower (0.1-5mmHg) than
capillary oncotic pressure (26mmHg) due to its few proteins.

Capillary membrane permeability

Creates micro circulation
The balance of hydrostatic and osmotic forces causing movement out and
into the capillaries are known as Starling forces.
List the blood electrolytes that contribute most
towards extracellular osmolarity and those which
contribute most towards intracellular osmolarity.
 Sodium
 Potassium
 Chloride
 Bicarbonate
  Calcium
 Phosphorus
 Magnesium

Estimate blood osmolarity from measured

electrolytes.
The following equations can be used to calculate osmolarity:
- Calculated osmolarity = 2 (Na+) + 2 (K+) + Glucose + Urea (all in
mmol/L) OR
- Calculated osmolarity = 2 (Na+) + Glucose + Urea (all in mmol/L).
Concentrations must be in mmol/L
The osmolality of ECF is approximately equal to that of the ICF, they use
plasma osmolarity to extrapolate ICF osmolality.
It is a common diagnostic tool for identifying electrolyte imbalances,
especially low blood sodium (hyponatremia)
Normal values range from 275 to 295 mosm/kg

Special body fluid systems

Describe the characteristic components of:
Sweat = consists of primarily of water and NaCl, also K+, Ca2+, and
Mg2+, lactate, urea, and trace amounts of Zn, Cu, Fe. Acts in
thermoregulation to cool body when water evaporates. Salt is reabsorbed
in the sweat ducts to minimise salt loss.
Composition of perspiration varies between individuals and also depends
on what they have been eating and drinking, why they are sweating, how
long they have been perspiring and several other factors.
Gastrointestinal fluids: water, ions (primarily consist of H+, K+, Cl−,
HCO3− and Na+), digestive enzymes, mucus, and bile
Secreted by salivary glands, stomach, pancreas, liver, GI epithelial cells.
Mucus serves to lubricate and protect the inner mucosa of the tract
Bile consists of bile salts, bilirubin and cholesterol
Cerebrospinal fluid: 99% water, 0.3% plasma proteins, ions (Na+, K+,
Ca2+, Cl-), and glucose
Produced in the choroid plexuses of the ventricles of the brain
Provides basic mechanical and immunological protection to the brain
Saliva: 99.5% water, 0.5% consists of electrolytes (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl-,
Mg2+, HCO3-, PO42-, iodine), mucus, glycoproteins, enzymes, antibacterial
and antimicrobial enzymes, Epidermal growth factor, and bacteria cells
Acts as pre-digestive, protects enamel, lubricant for swallowing, important
in the sense of taste