electrolyte

Examples of electrolyte in the following topics:

• Transport of Electrolytes across Cell Membranes

  • Salt and other compounds that dissociate into their component ions are called electrolytes.
  • Electrolytes are lost from the body during urination and perspiration.
  • For this reason, athletes are encouraged to replace electrolytes and fluids during periods of increased activity and perspiration.
  • Because electrolytes dissociate into ions, adding relatively more solute molecules to a solution, they exert a greater osmotic pressure per unit mass than non-electrolytes such as glucose.
  • Explain the relationship between osmotic pressure and the transport of electrolytes across cell membranes

• Introduction to Osmoregulation

  • This amount is necessary for the proper balance of electrolytes in the human body.
  • Osmoregulation is the process of maintenance of salt and water balance (osmotic balance) across membranes within the body's fluids, which are composed of water plus electrolytes and non-electrolytes.
  • An electrolyte is a solute that dissociates into ions when dissolved in water.
  • Both electrolytes and non-electrolytes contribute to the osmotic balance.
  • The body is subject to a continual intake and loss of water and electrolytes.

• Concept of Osmolality and Milliequivalent

  • Solution concentration is expressed by a solution's molality, while electrolyte concentration is expressed in terms of milliequivalents per liter.
  • Molarity and molality represent solution concentration, but electrolyte concentrations are usually expressed in terms of milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L).
  • Another unit of electrolyte concentration is the milliosmole (mOsm), which is the number of milliequivalents of solute per kilogram of solvent.

• Hormonal Regulation of the Excretory System

  • The water concentration of the body is monitored by osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus, which detect the concentration of electrolytes in the extracellular fluid.
  • The concentration of electrolytes in the blood rises when there is water loss caused by excessive perspiration, inadequate water intake, or low blood volume due to blood loss.
  • An increase in blood electrolyte levels results in a neuronal signal being sent from the osmoreceptors in hypothalamic nuclei.
  • If the condition is not severe, dehydration may not occur, but severe cases can lead to electrolyte imbalances due to dehydration.
  • Another hormone responsible for maintaining electrolyte concentrations in extracellular fluids is aldosterone, a steroid hormone that is produced by the adrenal cortex.

• Osmoregulators and Osmoconformers

  • The fish do not drink much water and balance electrolytes by passing dilute urine while actively taking up salts through the gills.
  • The shark's blood electrolyte composition is not similar to that of seawater, but maintains isotonicity with seawater by storing urea at high concentrations.

• Malpighian Tubules of Insects

  • The secretion of ions alters the osmotic pressure, which draws water, electrolytes, and nitrogenous waste (uric acid) into the tubules.
  • Water and electrolytes are reabsorbed when these organisms are faced with low-water environments and uric acid is precipitated and excreted as a thick paste or powder.

• Ions and Ionic Bonds

  • Certain salts are referred to in physiology as electrolytes (including sodium, potassium, and calcium).
  • Electrolytes are ions necessary for nerve impulse conduction, muscle contractions, and water balance.

• Plasma and Serum

  • Serum, the plasma component of blood which lacks coagulation factors, is similar to interstitial fluid in which the correct composition of key ions acting as electrolytes is essential for normal functioning of muscles and nerves.

• Kidney Function and Physiology

  • Finally, some substances, such as electrolytes and drugs, are removed from blood through the peritubular capillary network into the distal convoluted tubule or collecting duct.
  • Reabsorption of water and key electrolytes are regulated and influenced by hormones.

• The Plasma Membrane and the Cytoplasm

  • However, water-soluble materials—such as glucose, amino acids, and electrolytes—need some assistance to cross the membrane because they are repelled by the hydrophobic tails of the phospholipid bilayer.