water is the major fluid in the human body. It consists of 60% of body weight in men and 55% in women due to the fat composition in the women body.
the fluid 60% is present in two types: Extracellular fluid (plasma (blood) and interstitial (space between cells). they compromise of 20% and the rest 40% is in the intracellular fluid (in the cells).
Interstitial fluid and blood plasma are similar in their electrolyte make up. Na+ and Cl- being the major electrolytes. In the intracellular fluid, K+ and HPO4- are the major electrolytes.
the electrolytes net positive ions and the net negative ions that are present in the extracellular fluid is the same as in the intracellular fluid.
The most abundant ions are sodium and chloride in the extracellular fluid and potassium, magnesium and phosphate in the intracellular fluid.
ELECTROLYTE DISTRIBUTION
Electrolyte
Extracellular
meq/liter
Intracellular
meq/liter
Function
Sodium
142
10
fluid balance, osmotic
pressure
Potassium
5
100
Neuromuscular excitability
acid-base balance
Calcium
5
-
bones, blood clotting
Magnesium
2
123
enzymes
Total Positive ions
154
205
Electrolyte Distribution
Electrolyte
Extracellular
meq/liter
Intracellular
meq/liter
Function
Chloride
105
2
fluid balance, osmotic pressure
Bicarbonate
24
8
acid-base balance
Proteins
16
55
osmotic pressure
Phosphate
2
149
energy storage
Sulfate
1
-
protein metabolism
Total Negative ions
154
205
I hope your question was answered. If you need more information, i would be happy to answer.
Rana Afifi, MS. Toxicology, Petra University, Jordan
email: rana552000@yahoo.com