Question

Identify the normal extracellular fluid (plasma) osmolarity and concentrations of prevalent ions and contrast these values with those for intracellular fluid, paragraph form please.

Answer 1

Body fluid volume and electrolyte concentration are normally maintained within very narrow limits, Total body water is about 60% of body weight, in this Extracellular compartment which consists of plasma and interstitial fluids accounts for one- third of this while the Intracellular compartment accounts for the remaining two third.  Extracellular fluid (ECF) surrounds all cells in the body. ECF has high concentrations of sodium, chloride, bicarbonate, and protein but has low concentration of potassium ions, major cation is sodium and  major anions are chloride (Cl-) and bicarbonate (HCO3-). Extracellular sodium concentration averages 140 mEq/L, and Extracellular potassium concentration is 3.5 to 5 mEq/L. The ICF lies within cells and is the principal component of the cytosol/cytoplasm, ICF has elevated amounts of potassium, phosphate, magnesium, and protein, but has low concentration of sodium, the major anions are proteins and organic phosphates like ATP. Intracellular potassium concentration averages 140 mEq/L.and Intracellular sodium concentration is 12 mEq/L.

The normal osmolarity of intracellular and extracellular fluid is 300 mOsm, which makes them isotonic