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What is the importance of water content of the body?

6. Electrolytes

6.1. Functions of Electrolytes

  • Serve as essential minerals
  • Control the osmosis of water between body compartments
  • The normal serum osmolality range is 280-295 mOsm/kg
    1. Osmolality
      * measure of total concentration of solutes in body fluids per kilogram of solvent
    2. Osmolarity
      * measure of total concentration of solutes in body fluids per liter of solution
  • Carry electrical current
    1. allows production of action potentials and graded potentials
    2. control secretion of some hormones and neurotransmitters
  • Help maintain the acid- base balance