Electrolytes and fluids Flashcards
State the percent of body water in infants
75% of an infant’s body is water
Describe how body water percentage changes with age
Body water percentage decreases with age: 75% in infants, 50-60% in adults, and 45% in old age
Define osmosis
Osmosis is the process where water travels across a semipermeable cell membrane, moving toward the fluid with a higher solute concentration
Explain fluid compartments in the body
Fluid compartments refer to the distribution of fluids throughout the body, with intracellular fluid holding about 60-65% of the total water content
Define intracellular fluid
Intracellular fluid is the fluid within the plasma membranes of all the cells in the body
Define extracellular fluid
Extracellular fluid counts for 35-50% of the body’s total water content and includes all fluids outside of cells
What is plasma?
Plasma is the fluid portion of the blood that includes everything in the blood that is not a formed element
Define interstitial fluid
Interstitial fluid is the fluid surrounding the cells of the body, excluding plasma found inside blood vessels and the heart
Compare the concentration of sodium in intracellular fluid and interstitial fluid
The concentration of sodium is highest in interstitial fluid
Compare the concentration of potassium in intracellular fluid and interstitial fluid
The concentration of potassium is highest in intracellular fluid
What is the role of blood plasma in the body?
Blood plasma serves as the fluid medium for transporting nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout the body
Describe the significance of action potential in relation to fluid compartments
Action potential is related to the movement of ions, which occurs across fluid compartments, particularly in the context of sodium and potassium concentrations
Which ions flow into and out of the cell during an action potential?
Sodium ions flow into the cell, while potassium ions flow out of the cell
Describe facilitated diffusion
Facilitated diffusion is the movement of ions through an ion channel, assisted by proteins such as channel proteins and carrier proteins
State the importance of the sodium potassium pump
The sodium potassium pump transfers sodium ions out of the cytoplasm and into the extracellular fluid (ECF), while transferring potassium iOS into the cytoplasm, maintaining normal potassium concentration gradients
Explain the connection between the hypothalamus and dry mouth during dehydration
The hypothalamus sends signals to the sympathetic nervous system , which then signals the salivary glands to decrease water content in saliva, resulting in dry mouth and increased thirst
Define metabolic water and state the daily volume created
Metabolic water generated from the electron transport chain during aerobic respiration and in certain reactions like dehydration synthesis. About 230 mL or 8oz are generated per day
Explain why diuretics lower blood pressure
Diuretics lower blood pressure by reducing overall blood volume
Describe water intoxication
Water intoxication occurs when a person drinks too much water faster than the body can excrete it
Define edema and list 2 possible causes
Edema is the accumulation of excess water in the interstitial fluid surrounding tissues. Common causes include underlying medical conditions and pharmacological drugs
Define electrolyte
A mineral that carries an ionic electrical charge, such as sodium ions and chloride ions. Electrolytes easily dissolve in water due to the polarity of water molecules.
Describe the primary location and major function of sodium
Sodium is the major cation of the extracellular fluid and is responsible for half of the osmotic pressure gradient between the interior of cells and their surrounding environment.
De4scribe the primary location and major function of potassium
Potassium is the major intracellular cation and helps establish the resting membrane potential in neurons and muscle fibers after membrane depolarization and action potentials
Describe the primary location and major function of calcium
Calcium is mostly found in the skeletal system, where bone serves as a reservoir to keep blood levels balance. Plasma calcium is essential for coagulation pathways, and intracellularly, calcium ions function as a second messenger and are necessary for muscle contaction
Describe the primary location and major function of magnesium
Magnesium is found 54% in bones and 45% in the intracellular fluid. Intracellular magnesium is complexed with enzymes and functions as a cofactor in many metabolic pathways and membrane transporters
Explain why appropriate pH levels are critical in homeostasis
Appropriate pH levels are critical to homeostasis because they affect enzyme activity, metabolic processes, and the overall function of cells and organs
How does increased water intake affect electrolyte concentration gradients?
Increased water intake dilutes the concentrations of solutes in the extracellular fluid, altering the electrolyte concentration gradients and affecting the transport of ions needed for action potentials in neurons
Define buffer and explain its components
A buffer is a solution that resists changes in pH when small amounts of acid or base are added. It consists of pairs of weak acids and their conjugate bases
How do buffers function in maintaining pH?
Buffers function almost instantaneously at the site of acid or base production, compensating for the addition of acids or bases to maintain the pH of the system
Describe the role of weak acids in a buffer system
Weak acids can donate hydrogen ions if the pH increases, helping to neutralize added bases
What is the role of conjugate bases in a buffer system?
Conjugate bases will accept hydrogen ions if the pH decreases, helping to neutralize added acids
What is the primary function of bicarbonate in the body?
bicarbonate is to neutralize acids, helping to maintain pH balance
Explain why a bugger is ineffective outside of a certain pH range
A buffer will not work outside of its effective range because either the acid or the base will be neutralized, leading to significant pH changes
Describe the importance of bicarbonate and carbonic acid levels in blood pH homeostasis
Higher levels of bicarbonate and lower levels of carbonic acid are helpful because bicarbonate buffers metabolic acids, maintaining blood pH
How does the respiratory system contribute to pH regulation?
The respiratory system regulates blood pH by controlling carbonic acid levels; increased CO2 leads to more carbonic acid, lowering pH and increasing respiration to exhale CO2
Briefly describe the role of the kidneys in pH regulation
The renal system regulates blood pH by controlling the levels of bicarbonate
Differentiate between respiratory acidosis and alkalosis
Respiratory acidosis occurs when CO2 levels are high, leading to lower pH, while respiratory alkalosis occurs when CO2 levels are low, often caused by hyperventilation
Describe respiratory acidosis
Respiratory acidosis is a condition characterized by an excess of carbonic acid or CO2 in the blood, leading to increased acidity. It is caused by anything that inhibits respiration or interferes with gas exchange in the lungs
Explain the cause of respiratory alkalosis
Respiratory alkalosis occurs due to a deficiency of carbonic acid or CO2 levels, resulting in overly alkaline blood. It is primarily caused by excessive CO2 exchange between the blood and the atmosphere, often due to hyperventilation
Define metabolic acidosis and its causes
Metabolic acidosis is caused by conditions that lead to a decrease in blood bicarbonate levels. Common causes include MUDD PILES:
Methanol, Uremia, Diabetic ketoacidosis, Paraldehyde, Isopropanol, Lactic acid from strenuous exercise, Ethylene glycol, and Salicylate/ aspirin
What leads to metabolic alkalosis?
Metabolic alkalosis is caused by conditions that result in elevated blood bicarbonate levels, often due to vomiting or gastric suctioning that leads to the loss of stomach acid, or by ingestion of bicarbonate for heartburn treatment
How does the respiratory system compensate for metabolic acidosis?
In response to metabolic acidosis, the respiratory system increases the rate of breathing to expel excess CO2, helping to restore normal pH levels in the blood
Describe the relationship between CO2 levels and blood pH in respiratory acidosis
In respiratory acidosis, an accumulation of CO2 in the blood is converted to carbonic acid, which lowers the pH and makes the blood more acidic
Explain the impact of hyperventilation on blood CO2 levels
Hyperventilation leads to excessive CO2 exchange between the blood and the atmosphere, resulting in decreased CO2 levels in the blood and causing respiratory alkalosis
Identify the acronym MUDD PILES and its relevance to metabolic acidosis
Metabolic acidosis causes
Methanol
Uremia
Diarrhea
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Paraldehyde
Isopropanol
Lactic acid from strenuous exercise
Ethylene glycol
Salicylate/aspirin
How does vomiting contribute to metabolic alkalosis?
Vomiting can lead to metabolic alkalosis by causing the loss of stomach acid, which results in elevated blood bicarbonate levels
What physiological change occurs in the blood during respiratory acidosis?
During respiratory acidosis, the blood becomes overly acidic due to an excess of carbonic acid resulting from impaired respiration or gas exchange
