Final answer:
Extracellular fluid refers to the fluid outside the cells, while intracellular fluid refers to the fluid inside the cells. Intravascular fluid is the fluid within the blood vessels, and interstitial fluid is the fluid that surrounds and bathes the cells. Cations are positively charged ions, while anions are negatively charged ions. Osmosis is the process by which solvent molecules move from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration through a semipermeable membrane.
Step-by-step explanation:
Extracellular fluid: All cells of the body exist in fluid environment collectively called as extracellular fluid. This includes blood plasma, interstitial fluid and lymph. Plasma contains 7% protein, hepatic lymph slightly less and subcutaneous fluid 1%. They contain mainly NaCl, NaHCO3, small amount of Ca, Mg, K, H, phosphate, sulphate, organic acids, non-electrolytes such as glucose, urea, lipids etc. pH value ranges from 7.35 to 7.45 under normal conditions. Several components of extracellular fluid are important in maintaining osmotic, anion-cation balance and hydrogen ion regulation. The cations (K+, Ca++, Mg++ and H*) are present in comparatively very low concentration and exert profound influence on physiological processes. Interstitial fluid contains a higher total concentration of diffusible anions and lower concentration of cations than the plasma.
Intracellular fluid: This fluid is located within the cells and makes up about 50% of the total body weight. It contains different ions (including K+, Na+, Cl-) and various organic molecules necessary for cellular functions.
Intravascular fluid: This refers to the fluid within the blood vessels, primarily composed of blood plasma, which carries various cells, proteins, and nutrients throughout the body.
Interstitial fluid: This is the fluid that surrounds and bathes the cells in the body. It contains a higher concentration of diffusible anions and lower concentration of cations compared to the plasma.
Cation: A cation is a positively charged ion. In the context of fluids, cations include ions like sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca++), and magnesium (Mg++).
Anion: An anion is a negatively charged ion. In the context of fluids, anions include ions like chloride (Cl-) and bicarbonate (HCO3-).
Osmosis: Osmosis is the process by which solvent molecules (usually water) move from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration through a semipermeable membrane. This process is important for maintaining proper balance of fluids and electrolytes in the body.
Solutes: Solutes are substances dissolved in a solvent. In the context of fluids, solutes can include ions, molecules, and particles that are dispersed in a liquid.
Solvent: Solvent is a substance that is capable of dissolving other substances. In the context of fluids, water is the most common solvent.
Osmolality: Osmolality is a measure of the concentration of solutes in a solution. It is expressed as the number of osmoles of solute per kilogram of solvent.
Osmol: Osmol is a unit of measurement that represents the number of osmoles of solute in a solution.