Body Fluid Compartment Flashcards
What are the two main body fluid compartments?
Intracellular Fluid (ICF) and Extracellular Fluid (ECF)
ICF makes up 40% of total body weight, while ECF accounts for 20%.
What percentage of an adult’s body weight is water?
Approximately 60%
This percentage varies with age, body fat, and other factors.
What is the primary cation found in Intracellular Fluid (ICF)?
Potassium (K⁺)
K⁺ is critical for cell membrane potential and neuromuscular function.
What components make up the Extracellular Fluid (ECF)?
Interstitial fluid, plasma, and transcellular fluids
Interstitial fluid occupies spaces between cells, plasma is the liquid component of blood, and transcellular fluids include specialized fluids in body cavities.
What is the role of Sodium (Na⁺) in Extracellular Fluid (ECF)?
Important in osmotic balance, blood pressure regulation, and nerve conduction
Na⁺ is the primary cation in ECF.
What is transcellular fluid?
A minor component of ECF, includes specialized fluids like cerebrospinal fluid and synovial fluid
Transcellular fluid comprises 1-2% of body weight.
How does water move between fluid compartments?
Through osmosis, influenced by solute concentration gradients
Sodium and potassium ions particularly influence osmotic pressure.
Define osmolarity.
Total concentration of solute particles per liter of solution
Osmolarity determines the movement of water between compartments.
What is the primary method for measuring body fluid compartments?
Dilution method
Involves injecting a tracer substance and measuring its concentration.
List common tracers used for measuring body fluid compartments.
- Heavy water (D₂O) for total body water
- Inulin for extracellular fluid
- Evans blue dye for plasma volume
These tracers do not penetrate cell membranes.
What are the main characteristics of blood?
- Volume: 7-8% of body weight
- Viscosity: Five times that of water
- pH: Ranges from 7.35 to 7.45
- Color: Bright red when oxygenated, dark red when deoxygenated
These characteristics affect blood flow and function.
What is the primary function of red blood cells (erythrocytes)?
Transporting oxygen from the lungs to tissues and carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs
Hemoglobin in RBCs binds reversibly to oxygen.
What are the components of blood plasma?
- Water (90-92%)
- Plasma proteins (7-8%)
- Electrolytes, nutrients, gases, and waste products
Plasma proteins include albumins, globulins, and fibrinogen.
What is hematopoiesis?
The process of blood cell formation occurring primarily in red bone marrow
Hematopoiesis is regulated by cytokines and growth factors.
True or False: Blood is slightly acidic.
False
Blood is slightly alkaline, with a pH range of 7.35 to 7.45.
What role do platelets play in blood?
Essential for blood clotting and wound repair
Platelets aggregate at sites of vessel injury to prevent excessive bleeding.
Fill in the blank: The pH of blood is maintained within a narrow range of _______.
7.35 to 7.45
What is the life span of red blood cells (erythrocytes)?
Approximately 120 days
Senescent RBCs are removed by macrophages in the spleen and liver.