Jonah Patel
The human body is made up of intracellular and extracellular water pools, with the former constituting 62-69% of the total body water and the latter making up 31-38%. Intracellular fluid (ICF) refers to the fluid within cells, enclosed by their plasma membranes. It is the principal component of the cytosol or cytoplasm. On the other hand, extracellular fluid (ECF) surrounds all cells in the body and consists of blood plasma and interstitial fluid (IF), which is the fluid between cells.
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What You'll Learn
Intracellular fluid (ICF) is the fluid within cells
Intracellular fluid (ICF) is one of the two main fluid spaces in the human body, the other being extracellular fluid (ECF). ICF is the fluid within cells and makes up about 60% of the total water in the human body. For an average-sized adult male, the ICF accounts for about 25 litres of fluid. This fluid volume is very stable because the amount of water in living cells is closely regulated.
The body's fluid is distributed into two compartments: the intracellular fluid volume (ICFV) and the extracellular fluid volume (ECFV). The ECFV comprises two spaces: the interstitial fluid volume (ISFV) and the plasma volume (PV). One-third of the total body water is the ECFV, equivalent to 14 litres. Each space works in unison with the others and has different functions that are paramount for normal physiological function.
The ICF has elevated amounts of potassium, phosphate, magnesium, and protein. Overall, the ICF contains high concentrations of potassium and phosphate. In contrast, the ECF has high concentrations of sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate, but a relatively lower concentration of protein. The concentration of Na+ ions in the ECF compartment is the most important factor that determines the ICF volume.
The volume of ICF can change as water moves between compartments along an osmotic gradient. For example, if there is a decrease in ECF osmolarity, water will move from the ECF into the ICF to attain an osmolar equilibrium. However, the total body osmolarity would remain lower than normal, and the cell would swell. If there is excessive sweating, it may cause a decrease in total body water and an increase in ECF osmolarity.
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Extracellular fluid (ECF) surrounds all cells in the body
In cell biology, extracellular fluid (ECF) refers to all body fluid outside the cells of a multicellular organism. It surrounds all cells in the body, providing the internal environment for all multicellular animals.
The ECF is made up of interstitial fluid, blood plasma, and fluids found in other reservoirs in the body. Interstitial fluid, or tissue fluid, is the main component of ECF, constituting about 75% of the total extracellular water pool. It fills the spaces between blood vessels and cells, bathing the cells in the body. Interstitial fluid contains nutrients from capillaries and holds waste products from cellular metabolism. Plasma, which makes up about 25% of the extracellular water pool, travels through the body in blood vessels, transporting blood cells, proteins, electrolytes, nutrients, gases, and wastes.
The ECF and the cells exchange substances through the processes of dissolving, mixing, and transporting in the fluid medium. The ECF facilitates the exchange of molecular oxygen from blood to tissue cells and carbon dioxide from cell mitochondria back to the blood. The composition of the ECF, including pH, sodium, potassium, and calcium concentrations, is crucial for the normal functions of cells and is maintained through homeostatic mechanisms.
The volume of the ECF is approximately 20% of total body weight in adult humans, with some variation depending on age and body composition. It accounts for about one-third of the body's water content, with the remaining two-thirds constituting intracellular fluid within cells.
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Blood plasma is the fluid component of the blood
Blood plasma is the fluid component of blood. It is a light amber-coloured liquid that makes up about 55% of the body's total blood volume, with blood cells accounting for the remaining 45%. Plasma is mostly water (up to 95% by volume), but it also contains important dissolved proteins (6–8%), glucose, clotting factors, electrolytes, hormones, carbon dioxide, and oxygen.
The main job of plasma is to transport blood cells throughout the body, along with nutrients, waste products, antibodies, clotting proteins, chemical messengers (such as hormones), and proteins that help maintain the balance of fluid inside and outside cells. Plasma is also involved in forming blood clots to prevent excess blood loss and regulating body temperature.
Plasma can be separated from whole blood through a process called blood fractionation, which involves adding an anticoagulant to a tube of blood and spinning it in a centrifuge to separate the components by density. This process results in a layer of red blood cells at the bottom, followed by a whitish layer of platelets and white blood cells, and finally, the plasma at the top.
Plasma is essential for the body's functioning and has various medical uses. For example, it can be infused into individuals who have experienced burns, shock, or trauma and require more plasma. It is also used in scientific research, cancer treatments, immunodeficiency treatments, and controlling bleeding.
The interstitium, a network of fluid-filled spaces between cells, is another important component of the body's internal fluid pool. It spans the entire body, including major organs, and is still being extensively researched to understand its functions and significance.
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Interstitial fluid (IF) surrounds all cells not in the blood
The human body is composed of various parts, including organs, tissues, and fluids, which work together to maintain overall health and functionality. One crucial component of this intricate system is the interstitial fluid (IF).
Interstitial fluid, also known as tissue fluid, is a vital component of the human body, constituting the primary internal pool. It surrounds all cells that are not blood cells, filling the small spaces between them. This fluid is a mixture of water, ions, and small solutes that are forced out of the blood plasma due to the systolic pressure created when the heart pumps. The interstitial fluid makes up a large part of the extracellular fluid, which is any fluid within an organism but outside the cytoplasm.
The presence of interstitial fluid serves multiple essential functions in the body. Firstly, it plays a critical role in oxygen transportation. Once oxygen is released from red blood cells into the capillaries, it diffuses through the capillary walls and into the interstitial fluid. From there, it continues to diffuse through the tissue fluid, ensuring that oxygen reaches the cells that need it. This process allows the capillaries to deliver oxygen only to specific areas, relying on the interstitial fluid for efficient distribution.
Additionally, interstitial fluid facilitates the removal of waste products from cells. Many cells release their metabolic wastes into the interstitial fluid, which is then cleaned and filtered through the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system, a network of vessels and tissues, actively collects the interstitial fluid from the tissues and returns it to the blood plasma. This process helps maintain the body's overall health and homeostasis by preventing the accumulation of waste and ensuring the efficient removal of toxins.
The interstitial fluid also contributes to maintaining the body's fluid balance and hydration status. It is part of the extracellular water pool, which includes blood plasma and gastrointestinal (GI) water reserves. By exchanging fluid with the extracellular pool, the body can regulate hydration levels and ensure that water is distributed where it is needed. This dynamic equilibrium between the interstitial fluid and the extracellular pool helps prevent swelling and maintains the body's overall water balance.
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Osmosis is the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane
Osmosis is an important process in the human body, where the total water content is distributed between intracellular (62-69%) and extracellular (31-38%) pools. The extracellular water pool includes blood plasma (25%) and interstitial fluids (75%). The water content in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is another important reservoir, contributing to the extracellular pool. The intracellular and extracellular fluids in the body strive to maintain equilibrium, either by the movement of solutes or water, depending on the permeability of the membrane.
Osmotic pressure, a crucial concept in osmosis, can be calculated using the Van 't Hoff equation. This equation considers the number of solute particles, their temperature, and their ability to traverse a membrane. The osmolality of a solution, or the number of dissolved particles, influences the osmotic pressure. The reflection coefficient of a semi-permeable membrane, ranging from 0 to 1, indicates the permeability of a solute. A coefficient of 1 denotes impermeability, while 0 indicates free permeability.
The interaction of solute particles with membrane pores generates a negative pressure, driving the water flow. This process can be reversed through reverse osmosis, where water flows from a region of lower osmotic pressure to higher water concentration. However, this requires an external force, such as the energy input used in drinking water purification.
Osmosis plays a critical role in maintaining the balance of water and solute concentrations within the body. It ensures that cells receive the necessary water while expelling excess water to prevent swelling or cytolysis (cell rupture). Understanding osmosis is essential for comprehending how the body regulates its internal environment and responds to various solutions.
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Frequently asked questions
The primary internal pool in the human body is the intracellular pool, which includes all the water inside the cells.
The intracellular pool constitutes 62-69% of the total body water.
The other pool besides the primary internal pool is the extracellular pool, which constitutes 31-38% of the total body water.
The extracellular pool consists of blood plasma (25%) and interstitial fluids (75%).
