Final answer:
Intercellular fluids (ICF) are located within cells, making up 60 percent of the body's water content. Extracellular fluids (ECF), comprising the remaining one-third, include the interstitial fluid (IF) around cells and blood plasma in vessels, facilitating the transport of materials.
Step-by-step explanation:
Locations of Intercellular and Extracellular Fluids
The intracellular fluid (ICF) is located within the cells and comprises about 60 percent of the total water in the human body. It is a major component of the cell's cytosol or cytoplasm. The ICF is vital for normal cellular function and its volume is tightly regulated to prevent cell damage from either excessive water intake causing the cell to burst or water loss leading to high solute concentration.
The extracellular fluid (ECF) exists outside the cells and accounts for the remaining one-third of the body's water content. The ECF includes several fluids such as the interstitial fluid (IF), which surrounds all cells not in the blood, and the blood plasma, which travels through blood vessels. This fluid compartment facilitates the transport of gases, nutrients, and waste materials between blood capillaries and cells.
Both the ICF and ECF play critical roles in maintaining the body's homeostasis, enabling the transport of materials, and supporting cellular activities.