ELECTROLYTES

Colloid
A very large molecule (much larger
than H2O, Na+, and Cl-)
Small enough to remain suspended
in solution (colloid solution)
i.e. resists sedimentation
Too large to pass through
semipermeable membranes
Example: albumin protein
ion
charged particle
e.g. Na , K and HCO3
+ + -
more examples:
H2 = hydrogen (gas)
H+ = hydrogen ion
NaCl = sodium chloride (salt)
Na+ = sodium ion
-
Cl = chloride ion
electrolytes
substances which dissociate
in solution to form ions
include inorganic salts, acids
and bases, and many proteins
the ion can conduct electrical
currents
Note: many electrolytes form
crystals in a dry state
-these compounds are
called crystalloids
electrolytes dissociate
NaCl

Na+ Cl
-

water Cl Na+
-

Na+ Cl-
Cation
positively charged particle
e.g. Na+, K+ , Ca++ , Mg++

valence
Anion
negatively charged
particle
e.g. Cl , HCO3
- -

Valence
Electrolyte Gain and Loss
Gain Loss
eating Kidney
drinking GI tract
cellular skin
metabolism
 non-electrolytes
do not dissociate in solution
have no electrical charge
most are organic molecules
(glucose, lipids ,
creatinine , and urea
)
non-electrolytes
dont dissociate
glucose

glucose
water glucose
glucose
 Semipermeable Membranes
May filter based on:
Size and charge.
Example: cell membranes
Small, uncharged molecules pass freely
Small charged molecules do not pass
Large molecules do not pass
Size only.
Example: capillary walls
Small, uncharged molecules pass freely
Small charged molecules pass freely
Large molecules do not pass
 Size and charge

water water
Na+
protein

Na+

protein
 Size only

water water
Na+ Na+
protein

Na+ Na+
protein
 water moves by osmosis
The balance of water will
depend on the number
(concentration) of solute
particles on either side of the
semipermeable membrane

tonicity
Units of
Measurement
milliequivalents/litre (mEq/L)
measure of chemical
combining power
based on particle
number and valence
 milliosmoles/litre (mOsm/L)
measure of the solutions
ability to cause osmosis
based on particle number

Note: if valence = 1
mEq=mOsm
Sodium
(Natrium)
( Na )
+
 single most abundant
cation in ECF
90-95 % of all cations
in ECF are sodium
functions
ECF fluid balance
RMP
neuromuscular physiology
regulates acid-base balance
necessary for many vital
chemical reactions
 Normal values
130-145 mEq/L
What does normal value mean?
- healthy
- intravasucular level
-sometimes called the
physiologic level
Na Regulation
+
 aldosterone
released from adrenal
cortex in response to low
plasma sodium
increases reabsorption of
sodium from kidney
tubules
Renin-angiotensin
system
BP or blood volume renin
secretion from kidneys
renin converts angiotensinogen
angiotensin I
angiotensin I is converted to
angiotensin II in lungs

angiotensin II
aldosterone secretion
Atrial Natriuretic
Factor (ANF)
When BP is elevated, ANF is
released by some myocardial cells
when stretched ( )
causes inhibition of Na+
reabsorption by the kidneys
renal excretion of Na+ and H2O
increases
ECF volume and BP
 Disorders of
Na Levels
+

Hypernatremia
Definition:
[ serum Na +] (> 145 mEq/L )
Some causes
water loss (dehydration)
excessive salt intake
 Effects
Thirst
hypertension
CNS dehydration (lethargy)
Twitching, convulsions
edema (water retention)
 Disorders of
Na Levels
+
Hyponatremia
Definition:
[serum Na+] (< 130 mEq/L)
Some causes:
solute loss ( e.g. burns,
sweating, vomiting,
diarrhea, NG tube)
excessive water intake
 Effects
cerebral swelling
(confusion, giddiness
, headache, dizziness
stupor , coma)
muscular weakness
Potassium
( Kalium )
(K )
+
 chief intracellular cation
ICF potassium 140 mEq/L
Normal Values
3.5-5.5 mEq/L
 functions
ICF balance
RMP
nerve and muscle function
acid-base balance
intracellular enzyme reactions
K Regulation
+
Renal
Mechanisms
 aldosterone
acts upon DCT and collecting
ducts of kidney Na++
reabsorption
two K++ are secreted for every
three Na++ reabsorbed
Na+
K+
Disorders of
potassium
Hyperkalemia
Definition:
[serum K+] (> 5.5 mEq/L)
Some causes hyperkalemia:
renal failure
Excessive K+ intake (IV
infusion)
severe tissue damage
(including crushing injury
and chemotherapy )
 Effects
bradycardia
cardiac arrhythmias
and arrest
skeletal muscle weakness
Hypokalemia
Definition:
[serum K +] (< 3.5 mEq/L)
Some causes
vomiting_
Diarrhea
Nasogastric suction
Diuretic therapy
 Effects
cardiac arrhythmias (
), arrest
skeletal muscle weakness
( flaccid paralysis )
Increased urination
Calcium (Ca )
++
 99% stored in bones and
teeth as salts (e.g. calcium
phosphate )
Normal Values
4.5-5..5 mEq/L
(8 - 10 mg/dL)
functions
blood cltting
muscle contraction
maintaining cell
membrane
permeability
Ca Regulation
++
parathyroid hormone (PTH)
released from parathyroid
glands
released when serum Ca++ ++

Increases circulating Ca ++
++
- - -
1) causes release of Ca and PO44
++
++ - - -

from bone

2) intestinal absorption of Ca++

++

3) renal reabsorption of Ca++

++
parathyroid
hormone
(PTH)
Calcitonin
released from thyroid gland
released when serum Ca++ ++

Decreases circulating calcium

1) deposition of Ca ++ in bone
++

2) release of PTH
3) PTH antagonist
calcitonin
Disorders of calcium
Hypercalcemia
Definition:
[serum Ca++] (> 5.5 mEq/L)

Some causes hypercalcemia:

PTH (e.g. due to tumours
or hyperparathyroidism
)
immobilization
 Effects
GI disturbances (anorexia
, nausea, vomiting,
constipation )
Polyuria , polydipsia

hypertension
Disorders of calcium
Hypocalcemia
Definition:
[serum Ca++] (< 4.5 mEq/L)
Some causes hypocalcemia:
surgical removal of the
parathyroids
vit D deficiency
low Ca++ intake
 Effects
tetany
Neurological
disturbances (numbness
, tingling )
Bone fractures