Fluids and Electrolytes Essay

The mineral that is the most plentiful in the body is calcium. It is mainly found in bones and teeth but also in plasma and other fluids within the body. Calcium plays an important role in blood clotting, nerve transmission, muscle contraction and relaxation, cell membrane permeability and the activation of certain enzymes, along with protecting against colorectal cancer. The intake of calcium or dairy products is associated with lower blood pressures, controlling body weight and obesity.

The second experiment sought to determine whether calcium entry is via L-type calcium channels, therefore, verapamil (10-5 M) was used to block these channels. The tissue was then stimulated using 0.2ml of Ach (10-5 M) and K+-depolarising solution.

Inorganic ions in animals and plants are necessary for vital cellular activity. In body tissue they can also be called electrolytes, which are essential for electrical activity needed to support muscle contractions and neuron activation. Ions also effect how pH changes in the blood and other bodily functions. Ions are also incorporated into the structure of biological molecules.

About 75% of the minerals are found in bones and teeth as calcium and phosphorus and their concentrations are generally regulated by homeostatic mechanisms.

Both electrical and chemical forces combine to determine the resting membrane potential of the cell. Although the resting membrane potential of most cells is normally negative, the selective permeability of the membrane allows certain ions in and out, causing the neuronal membrane voltage to become depolarized (more positive), or hyperpolarized (more negative). Key ions involved in muscle membrane potential are sodium, potassium, and chloride, which move via passive or active diffusion through ion channels and transporter pumps (Baierlein et al. 2011). The Nernst equation predicts the membrane voltage based on the assumption that the membrane is only permeable to one type of ion. In this investigation, we are seeking to understand the basis for how different ions interact to produce the membrane potential of DEM, DEL1, and DEL2 crayfish muscle

_There would be a greater change in the resting membrane potential in K+ than in Na+ because of more K+

a. The energy stored in the sodium ion electrochemical gradient is used to transport other molecules back toward the bloodstream (reabsorption). What nutrients are transported in this fashion?

Magnesium of which can be found in bone and teeth, plays a key role in the contraction of muscles as well as an activator for various enzymes.

them from governing the flow of chloride ions and water in and out of cells. Chloride ions help

movement of water in tissues and maintain the fluidity of mucus and other secretions [3].

What role does each of the selected electrolytes play in cellular function and fluid balance? Magnesium ( 1.8-2.4mEq/L) helps in maintaining a normal muscle and nerve function, it also helps with regulation cardiac rhythm and it is involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. Calcium (8-10 mg/dl). helps with nerve transmission, cardiac excitability and muscular contraction and hormone regulation.

include Calcium and Phosphate both can only be useful to bones when the needed amount of Vitamin D is present in the body to absorb it. The elements create strong bones and protect against disorders such as osteomalacia, which is the softening of bones. This vitamin is also needed for your immune system to function properly, since it helps combat infections and viruses. The immune system is not the only system in your body affected by Vitamin D, in fact almost everything you do is aided by Vitamin D, the respiratory system is just another example. The reason we can breathe easily is because our body has the recommended amount of Vitamin D to ensure healthy

Water is essential for life as we know it on earth. It is used by plants

Calcium(Ca) is a soft, silvery-white, reactive metal. Its chemical symbol is Ca and it has an atomic number of 20. It is the fifth element on the periodic table and is the fifth most abundant element found in Earth’s crust. Calcium is an alkaline earth metal. Therefore, it reacts with water and when it comes in contact with air it creates a nitrate coating to prevent further corrosion

The group 2 metal makes up 4.1% of the Earth’s crust, making it the fifth most abundant metal, and it can only be found in compounds, such as calcium carbonate, calcium sulphate and calcium fluoride (Royal Society of Chemistry). In the body, calcium exists as calcium phosphate to provide