WATER ELECTROLYTE BALANCE

Body fluids
Total fluid present in the body along with its solute is called body fluids. It is around 60-65% of
the body weight.
COMPOSITION OF BODY FLUIDS
Body fluids contain water and solids, solids are organic and inorganic substances. In adult male
60% of total body weight is of water. In adult female 55% of total body weight is water. So, if
adult male of 70Kg having 42 liter of water and adult female of 70 kg having 38 liter of water.
Organic substances
Organic substances are:
 Glucose
 Amino acids
 Fatty acids
 Hormone
 Enzymes
Inorganic substances
The inorganic substances of body fluids are sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride,
bicarbonate, phosphate and sulfate.
COMPARTMENTS OF BODY FLUIDS OR DISTRIBUTION OF BODY FLUIDS
Total water in the body is about 40 liters. It is distributed into two major compartments namely:
1. Intracellular fluid (ICF) forming 55% of the total body water (22 liters).
2. Extracellular fluids (ECF) forming 45% of the total body water (18 liters). Extracellular
fluid is divided into five subunits namely:
1. Interstitial fluid and lymph.
2. Plasma.
3. Fluid in bones.
4. Fluid in dense connective tissues like cartilage and
5. Transcellular fluid that includes:
 Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
 Intraocular fluid.
 Digestive juices.
 Serous fluid: - Intrapleural fluid.
 Pericardial fluid.
 Peritoneal fluid.
 Synovial fluid in joints.
 Fluid in urinary tract.
The volume of interstitial fluid is about 12 liters. The volume of plasma is about 2.75 liters. The
total volume of other subunits of extracellular fluid is about 3.25 liters. Water moves different
compartments.
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Water Electrolyte Balance/Prepared By:-DR.C.K.SINGH
 MOVEMENT OF BODY FLUID
A continual exchange of water and solutes takes place between the compartments of the body
fluids, which are in dynamic equilibrium with each other. This has an important bearing on the
regulation of the body fluids.
Fluid moves between the plasma and the interstitial fluid through the walls of the capillaries,
the smallest blood vessels. This movement occurs as a result of two forces, the hydrostatic
pressure within the capillaries, pushing water and solutes out, and an osmotic gradient due to
the plasma proteins in the capillaries, drawing water into the capillaries. The volume of fluid
leaving the capillaries slightly exceeds that re-entering. This excess interstitial fluid is taken up
by the lymph vessels and returns to the vascular system at the base of the neck where the main
lymph vessel, the thoracic duct, joins the venous system.

REGULATION OF FLUID BALANCE

Increased osmotic pressure

Stimulates thirst centre in the hypothalamus

Result in desire to drink

Decrease body fluid concentration

2. Increased osmotic pressure

Osmorecepors in hypothalamus

Stimulates posterior pituitary gland

Increased reabsorption of water by the kidneys

Decreased osmotic pressure

ELECTROLYTE
Electrically charged atoms that exist in the body in solution are called electrolytes. Electrolytes
play a vital role in fluid balance, nerve function, heart beat and oxygen content. Also known as
ions, electrolytes are divided into two groups, anions and cations. Anions are negatively
charged and include chloride, phosphate, bicarbonate and sulphate. Cations are positively
charged and include sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium.
PURPOSE OF ELECTROLYTES
Electrolytes play a critical role in almost every metabolic reaction in the body. For example,
they:
 Help control water balance and fluid distribution in the body
 Create an electrical gradient across cell membranes that is necessary for muscle
contraction and nerve transmission
 Regulate the acidity (pH) of the blood
 Help to regulate the level of oxygen in the blood
 Are involved in moving nutrients into cells and waste products out of cells
ACID BASE BALANCE
The human body precisely controls the balance between acid and base in blood. There are
several different mechanisms in the body that control this balance. Without this balance, organs
can severely malfunction. This balancing act in the body between acidity and basicity is called
the acid-base balance.
Regulation of acid base balance

Acid Base balance

Blood buffer system Respiratory Renal Mechanism

Bicarbonate buffer
system By removal of carbon
dioxide
Phosphate buffer
system
By excreting H+ ions and
re-absorption of HCO3
Protein buffer system
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Water Electrolyte Balance/Prepared By:-DR.C.K.SINGH
BUFFER SYSTEM
The buffer system maintains pH by binding with free hydrogen ions. An acid base buffer
system is the combination of a weak acid and weak base.
Types of buffer system:
The body fluids have three types of buffer system, which act under different conditions. The
buffer systems are:
 Bicarbonate buffer system
 Phosphate buffer system
 Protein buffer system
 Bicarbonate buffer system
This buffer system is present in extra cellular fluid .It consists of the protonated substance.
Carbonic acid (H2CO3), which is a weak acid and the unpronated substance HCO3- .Which, is a
weak base. HCO3- is in the form of salt, i.e. sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3).
 Phosphate buffer system
This system is consists of a weak acid. Phosphate buffer system is useful in the intracellular
fluid as the concentration of phosphate is more in intracellular fluid than extra cellular fluid.
 Protein buffer system
The protein buffer systems are present in the blood, both in the plasma and red blood cells.
OSMOSIS
Osmosis is the passage of a component in one phase through a membrane into another phase
through the Semi permeable membranes. Semi permeable membranes are only passable for
certain components, while other components cannot pass. The cell walls are semi permeable
membranes, i.e. structures that allow water molecules to pass through, but not dissolved
particles. When, for instance, the extracellular electrolyte concentration rises, water diffuses out
of the cell, raising the intracellular concentration level and diluting the extracellular fluid.

DIFFUSION
Diffusion is the Process by which there is a net flow of matter from a region of high
concentration to one of low concentration. It occurs fastest in liquids and slowest in solids.
Diffusion can be observed by adding a few drops of food colouring to a glass of water. The
scent from an open bottle of perfume quickly permeates a room because of random motion of
the vapour molecules. A spoonful of salt placed in a bowl of water will eventually spread
throughout the water.

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Water Electrolyte Balance/Prepared By:-DR.C.K.SINGH
 ACTIVE TRANSPORT
Movements of substances against the chemical, electrical or electrochemical gradient is called
active transport. Active transport requires energy. The energy required is liberated mostly by
break down of high energy compounds like ATP.

PASSIVE TRANSPORTS
The movement of small molecules across the membrane of a cell by diffusion is known as
passive diffusion. The passive transport does not need energy. Passive transport occurs when
the chemicals outside a cell become concentrated and start moving into the cell, changing the
intracellular equilibrium. Passive transport is essential to various processes of metabolism, such
as the intake of digestive products by the cells lining the intestines

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Water Electrolyte Balance/Prepared By:-DR.C.K.SINGH