Final answer:
The primary component of intra- and extracellular fluid is water. It is vital for physiological processes and homeostasis, making up about 60% of the body's water.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary component of intra- and extracellular fluid is water. In humans, water accounts for about 60 percent of the total body water and is the principal component of the cytosol/cytoplasm, known as the intracellular fluid (ICF). The ICF contained within cells is essential for normal cellular activities and makes up a considerable amount, about 25 liters in an average adult male.
Conversely, the extracellular fluid (ECF) - including interstitial fluid, plasma, and lymph - is also predominantly made of water, surrounds the body's cells, delivers nutrients, and removes waste products. Maintaining a stable balance of water within these fluid compartments is critical for physiological processes and homeostasis.