acid-base balance
homeostasis of the hydrogen ion (H+) concentration in the body fluid
active transport
the movement of materials across the membrane of a cell by means of chemical activity
adenosine triphosphate
a substance produced in the mitochondria from nutrients and is capable of releasing energy that in turn enable the cell to work
anions
negatively charged ion that, when in solution, is attracted to the positive electrode
bicarbonate
a main anion of the extracellular fluid
blood buffers
chemical sponges, circulate through the body in pairs, neutralizing excess acids or bases by contributing or accepting hydrogen ions
calcium
silvery yellow metal; the most abundant mineral in the body; a positively charged ion, known as a cation
cations
positively charged ion that, when in solution, is attracted to the negatively charged electrode
chloride
negatively charged extracellular anion; a salt of hydrochloride acid
diffusion
a process in which solid particles in a fluid move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration
electrolytes
substance that is sometimes called a mineral or salt; develops tiny electrical charges when dissolved in water and breaks up into particles known as ions
extracellular
fluid outside the cells of the body
filtration
the transfer of water and dissolved substances from an area of higher pressure to an area of lower pressure
homeostasis
a relative constancy in the internal environment of the body, naturally maintained by adaptive responses that promote healthy survival
hypertonic
a solution of higher osmotic pressure
hypotonic
a solution of lover osmotic pressure
interstitial
fluid between the cells or in the tissues of the body
intracellular
fluid inside the cells of the body
intravascular
fluid or plasma within the vessels of the body
ions
electronically charged particle resulting from the breakdown of an electrolyte; negatively or positively charged
isotonic
having equal tension designating or of a salt solution. having the same osmotic pressure as blood
magnesium
the second most abundant cation in the intracellular fluid of the body
milliequvalent (mEq)
number of grams of soluble substance dissolved in 1 mL of normal solution
osmosis
passage of water across a selectively permeable membrane; the water moves from a less concentrates solution to a more concentrated solution
passive transport
the movement of small molecules across the membrane of a cell by diffusion
phosphorus
chiefly, an intracellular anion in fluid of the body
potassium
the dominant intracellular cation
sodium
the most abundant electrolyte in the body; the major extracellular electrolyte; it is a cation
hyponatremia
a less-than-normal concentration of sodium in the blood; sodium level drops to less than 134 mEq/L
hypernatremia
a greater-than-normal concentration of sodium; sodium level exceeds 145mEq/L
hypokalemia
decrease in the body's potassium level; less than 3.5 mEq/L
hyperkalemia
increase in the body's potassium level; greater than 5 mEq/L
hypochloremia
usually occurs when sodium is lost, because sodium and chloride are usually paired
hyperchloremia
rarely occurs but is possible when bicarbonate levels fall
hypocalcemia
develops when the serum level is less than 4.5 mEq/L
hypercalcemia
develops when calcium levels exceed 5.8 mEq/L
hypophosphatemia
possible as a result of a dietary insufficiency, impaired kidney function, or maldistribution of phosphate
hyperphosphatemia
most commonly occurs as a result of renal insufficiency
hypomagnesemia
develops when blood levels fall to less than 1.5 mEq/L
hypermagnesemia
develops when blood levels exceed 2.5 mEq/L