Electrolytes in the Human Body

Electrolytes are solutes that contain a charge in aqueous solutions. Most acids, bases and salts are soluble in water are electrolytes.

Electrolytes are negatively or positively charged ion. Although many substances in the body are electrolytes, in nutrition and in sports drinks, the term electrolytes refers to the three principal electrolytes in body fluids: sodium, potassium and chloride.

These are electrolytes are among the most commonly monitored electrolytes in clinical practice.

These electrolytes are important in maintaining fluid balance and allowing nerve impulses to travel throughout out bodies, signaling the activities that are essential for life.

Sodium and potassium carry a positive charge, and chloride carries a negative charge.

The concentration of sodium, potassium and chloride inside a cell differ dramatically from those outside the cell.

An electrolyte is stored either intracellular or extracellular.

Potassium is the principal positively charged intracellular ion, sodium is the most abundant positively charged extracellular and chloride is the principal negatively charged extracellular ion.

Fluid move though the body continuously. The heart pumps the blood, pressure is extend on the vessels from outside the body, and muscles relax and contract to help move the fluid through the vascular system. Fluid moves into and out of the cells and the extracellular spaces by osmotic pressure.

Osmotic pressure is determined by the concentration of the electrolytes and other solutes in water.

The greater the difference in charge between two regions, the greater is potential for ions to move to their oppositely charged regions.
Electrolytes in the Human Body

Functions of electrolytes in human body

Each electrolyte has special functions in the body. Although some electrolytes play larger roles than others, all are necessary for the functions and maintenance of homeostasis and health.

Sodium, potassium and chloride are major electrolytes of the body. As electrolytes these minerals serve specific functions. The acid-base balance of body fluids depends on regulated distribution of these minerals, protein and electrolytes.

Electrolytes help regulate fluid balance; the distribution of water throughout the body depend on the concentration of electrolytes and other solutes.

Water moves by osmosis in response to differences in concentration.

So, for example, of the concentration of sodium in the blood increases, water will move into the blood from intracellular and other extracellular species to equalize the concentration of sodium and other dissolved substances.

Calcium and bicarbonate are two major electrolytes found in extracellular fluid. Calcium is the major cation involved in the structure and function of bones and teeth.

Its needed to:
*Stabilize the cell membrane and reduce its permeability to sodium
*Transmit nerve impulses
*Contract muscles
*Coagulate blood
*Form bone and teeth

Bicarbonate plays a vital role in acid-base balance. It’s base produced by the kidneys that acts as a central buffering agent in the blood.
Functions of electrolytes in human body