Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: Donnah on 17/05/2010 03:59:17

Title: What are electrolytes?
Post by: Donnah on 17/05/2010 03:59:17

What are electrolytes?  How do they affect the human body?  What happens when the body has too many or not enough?  Is there anything else you can tell me about them?

Title: What are electrolytes?
Post by: chris on 17/05/2010 08:32:47

Hello Donnah - nice to see you again!

Electrolytes are aqueous solutions of dissolved salts.

In the context of the human body this is usually taken to mean the extracellular fluid (outside cells), one major component of which is sodium chloride (NaCl); the bulk of the body's sodium is outside cells; the reverse it true of potassium.

Chris