Explain the role of sodium and potassium in maintaining the electrolyte balance of the body.
Dear student
Electrolytes like sodium, potassium, chloride etc are minerals that carry an electric charge when they are dissolved in a liquid such as blood.
1. They help regulate nerve and muscle function and maintain acid-base balance and water balance.
Electrolytes like sodium, potassium, chloride etc are minerals that carry an electric charge when they are dissolved in a liquid such as blood.
1. They help regulate nerve and muscle function and maintain acid-base balance and water balance.
2. They also help the body maintain normal fluid levels in the fluid compartments because the amount of fluid a compartment contains depends on the amount (concentration) of electrolytes in it. If high electrolyte concentration is there, fluid moves into that compartment through the process called osmosis and if the electrolyte concentration is low, fluid moves out of that compartment. To adjust fluid levels, the body can actively move electrolytes in or out of cells. Thus, maintaining appropriate concentration of electrolyte is important.
The kidneys help maintain electrolyte concentrations by filtering electrolytes and water from blood, thus help in maintaining a balance between daily consumption and excretion of electrolytes and water.
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