Final answer:
The best explanation for how ions affect cell function is through their influence on the body's electrical signals, as ions are crucial for the transmission of electrical impulses in neurons and muscles and contribute to the overall electrolyte balance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that best explains how ions affect cell function is b) Electrical signals in the body are influenced by the charged ions in our systems. Ions play a critical role in numerous cellular functions, including the transmission of electrical impulses across cell membranes in neurons and muscles. The electrolytes, as these ions are also known, contribute to the generation of electrical gradients across cell membranes, which are essential for nerve signal propagation and muscle contraction. These ions are differentially distributed across the membrane, and although ions are charged particles that cannot diffuse through the hydrophobic interior of the membrane without assistance, they move through specialized proteins such as ion channels and carriers.
The ions' electrical activity is evident in the tracings of heart and brain function on an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) or an electroencephalogram (EEG). Water in biological fluids helps to maintain ions' presence by breaking down the ionic bonds in salts, releasing these charged particles to contribute to essential bodily functions, such as maintaining osmotic balance and assisting in enzyme and hormone functions.