ELECTROLYTES

 Electrolytes are ions (minerals) capable of carrying an electric charge

 Cations - those electrolytes with a positive charge that moves toward the cathode
 Anions - those with a negative charge that move toward the anode
 Functions of electrolytes:
o volume and osmotic regulation - sodium [Na + ], chloride [Cl − ], potassium [K+ ]
o myocardial rhythm and contractility (K+ , magnesium [Mg 2+ ], calcium [Ca 2+ ]);
o cofactors in enzyme activation (e.g., Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , zinc [Zn 2+ ]);
o regulation of adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) ion pumps (Mg 2+ );
o acid–base balance (bicarbonate [HCO3 – ], K+ , Cl − );
o blood coagulation (Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ );
o neuromuscular excitability (K+ , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ );
o and the production and use of ATP from glucose (e.g., Mg 2+ , phosphate PO4 − )

WATER

 Water is the solvent for all processes in the human body as it is responsible for transporting nutrients to cells,
determining cell volume by its transport into and out of cells, removal of waste products by way of urine, and
acting as the body's coolant by way of sweating.
 Intracellular fluid (ICF) is the fluid inside the cells and accounts for about two-thirds of total body water.
 Extracellular fluid (ECF) accounts for the other one-third of total body water and can be subdivided into the
intravascular ECF (plasma) and the interstitial cell fluid that surrounds the cells in the tissue.
 Active transport is a mechanism that requires energy to move ions across cellular membranes.
 Diffusion is the passive movement of ions (no energy consumed) across a membrane and depends on both the
size and charge of the ion being transported, and on the nature of the membrane through which it is passing.

OSMOLALITY

 Osmolality is a physical property of a solution that is based on the concentration of solutes (expressed as
millimoles) per kilogram of solvent (w/w).
 Clinical Significance: the regulation of osmolality affets Na+ concentration which is associated with the osmotic
activity in plasma for the regulation of blood volume. Osmolality is regulated by changes in water balance, while
volume is regulated by changes in sodium balance
 Normal plasma osmolality: 275 to 295 mOsm/kg of plasma H2O

BLOOD VOLUME REGULATION

Four other factors affect blood volume:

1. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), released from the myocardial atria in response to volume expansion, promotes
Na + excretion in the kidney (B-type natriuretic peptide and ANP act together in regulating blood pressure and
fluid balance);
2. Volume receptors independent of osmolality stimulate the release of AVP, which conserves water by renal
reabsorption;
3. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) increases with volume expansion and decreases with volume depletion; and
4. All other things equal, an increased plasma Na + will increase urinary Na + (and therefore water) excretion and
vice versa