Week 2: Body fluid compartments, osmosis, tonicity and methods of transport

Question 1

How much water does the human body contain, and what are the 2 major fluid compartments it occupies?

Answer 1

The human body is approximately 60% water.

The 2 major compartments are:
* Intracellular compartment
* Extracellular fluid

Question 2

Of what areas of fluid in the body is the extracellular fluid made up of?

Answer 2

A combination of all the fluid in the body outside the cells.

Question 3

What percentage of total body fluid is in the extracellular space, and what are the percentages of the 2 major types of fluid that it is composed of?

Answer 3

The extracellular fluid is approx. 1/3rd of the total body fluid.

The extracellular fluid is made up of:
* 80% interstitial fluid: the fluid enveloping cells.
* 20% plasma: the fluid component of blood.

Question 4

What is the difference in total body fluid percentage between men and women?

Answer 4

• Men: 60% body fluid - attributed to the impact of body fat.
• Women: 55% body fluid.