Final answer:
Water is not considered a solute in living bodies; it is the solvent that dissolves substances like sugar, salts, and electrolytes, which are solutes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The substance which is not an example of a solute in living bodies is water. Solutes are substances that are dissolved in a solvent, and in the case of living organisms, the primary solvent is water. Substances like sugar, salts, and electrolytes are considered solutes as they dissolve in the body's fluids. In biology, solutes play crucial roles in processes such as nutrient transport, metabolic reactions, and maintaining homeostasis.
In the human body, sugar (glucose) is used for energy by cells, while various salts and electrolytes, such as sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-), are essential for maintaining fluid balance and transmitting nerve impulses. These electrolytes disassociate into ions in solution, which is essential for their function. Water, however, is the universal solvent in which these solutes are dissolved and hence is not considered a solute itself within living bodies.