Water and Electrolyte Balance in the Body

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance in the body.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a constant internal environment in the body.

Intracellular fluid (IFC)

Fluid found inside cells, containing high concentrations of potassium, phosphate, and magnesium.

Extracellular fluid (EFC)

Fluid found outside cells, containing high concentrations of sodium, chloride, bicarbonate, and calcium.

Hydrostatic Pressure

The pressure exerted by fluid, pushing it out of compartments, often referred to as blood pressure.

Colloid Osmotic Pressure

The pressure that draws fluid back into the capillaries due to the presence of proteins.

Dehydration

A state of H2O deficiency where water output exceeds input, leading to concentration of ECF and potential dysfunction.

Acidosis

A condition characterized by a drop in blood pH to below 7.35.

Alkalosis

A condition where blood pH rises above 7.45.

Electrolyte Balance

The state where the intake of electrolytes equals the loss of electrolytes.

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)

A hormone system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance.

Osmoreceptor-ADH Mechanism

Regulates body water concentration by controlling the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) based on blood osmolality.

Bicarbonate Buffering System

A chemical buffer system that helps maintain pH balance by converting strong acids to weak acids and vice versa.

Renal Excretion of H+ ions

The process by which kidneys increase secretion of hydrogen ions in response to increased acidity in body fluids.

Electrolyte Deficiency

A condition resulting from inadequate intake of essential ions leading to symptoms such as salt cravings.

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

A hormone that regulates calcium levels in the blood by increasing calcium absorption in the intestines and resorption from bones.

Hypernatremia

A condition characterized by high levels of sodium in the blood, often due to dehydration.

Hyponatremia

Low sodium levels in the blood, which can occur due to excessive water intake.

Metabolic Acidosis

A condition caused by an accumulation of acids or a loss of bases in the body.

Respiratory Acidosis

A condition that occurs when the lungs cannot remove enough CO2, leading to an increase in carbonic acid.