.
Module 08 Lab Worksheet: Fluid, Electrolyte,
and Acid-Base Balance
Introduction
This week’s lab will examine the dynamics of fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base
balance.
Objectives
Objectives for this week’s lab include: 1) Identify the body water content and fluid
compartments, 2) Define the factors that influence water balance, 3) Compare and
contrast electrolyte imbalances, 4) Describe how the body maintains an acid-base
balance, and 5) Compare and contrast the acid-base imbalances.
Overview
A cell’s ability to function and live depends on not only it’s ability to receive
nutrients and dispose of wastes but also to maintain homeostasis of the surrounding
fluids. The homeostasis and proper balance of water concentration, electrolytes,
and pH regulation is dependent upon a number of mechanisms and organ systems.
Failure on any level will lead to homeostatic imbalances that will cause dysfunction,
cellular death and even organism death.
Water occupies and is found in two regions of the body called fluid compartments:
Intracellular fluid (ICF) compartment and the extracellular fluid (ECF)
compartment. About 2/3 of the water volume is found in the ICF compartment
which is the water found inside of cells and the other 1/3 of water is found in the
ECF compartment, which is water fluid found around the cells. The ECF is further
divided into two regions: Blood plasma and interstitial fluid (IF). IF is the water
found in the spaces around and in between the cells. It is important to understand
the movement of fluid between the compartments and the effects the gain and loss
of water has on each of the compartments.
Water is a universal solvent being able to dissolve many solutes. Generally, solutes
are classified as electrolytes or nonelectrolytes. Due to their chemical properties,
nonelectrolytes, such as urea, glucose, lipids, do not dissolve in water and conduct
electricity. Electrolytes have the ability to dissociate into ions within water and will
have the ability to conduct electricity. Specific electrolyte concentration will vary
from ICF to ECF and is important to maintain proper electrolyte concentration to
maintain proper resting membrane potential charge of a cell.
Imbalances to the water balance within the body can have significant impacts on
electrolyte levels and overall body physiology. Three common water imbalances are:
Edema- accumulation of fluid in the interstitial space, which leads to swelling of the
tissues but not cells, Over-hydration or hypotonic hydration- having too much water
This study source was downloaded by 100000832361371 from CourseHero.com on 03-19-2022 20:26:29 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/25984715/Module-08-Lab-ZLdocx/
, within the fluid compartments which leads to severe metabolic disturbances, and
Dehydration- the general loss of water from the fluid compartments. It can include
solutes too in the loss. In any case, electrolyte imbalance will occur with water
imbalances. Sodium (Na+), potassium (K+) and calcium (Ca++) are the three main
electrolytes that the body needs to regulate to maintain proper physiology.
Acid-base balance is closely regulated by the body due to the influence pH (H+ ion
concentration) can have on functional proteins. There are three chemical buffer
systems that help regulate and resist changes to the body’s pH, which include:
Protein buffer system, Bicarbonate buffer system, and the Phosphate buffer system.
The respiratory and urinary systems also have mechanisms that help regulate acid-
base balance within the body.
Materials
Markers and color pencils of various colors
Large Post-It note presentation pads or paper presentation pads
Pre-Lab Evaluation Questions
The pre-lab evaluation questions must be answered prior to lab and demonstrated
to your lab instructor. You must read through the assigned chapter readings, lab
introduction, objectives, overview and procedure to answer these questions.
Please cite your work for any reference source you utilize in answering these
questions.
1. Compare and contrast the detailed characteristics to the intracellular fluid
(ICF) and extracellular fluid (ECF) compartments.
ICF is liquid found inside of the cells and ECF is found outside of the cells. ICF,
intracellular fluid, contains proteins and amino acids within the cells. ECF,
extracellular fluid has more ions.
2. Describe how osmoreceptors, a decrease in blood pressure (or volume) and a
dry mouth will activate the thirst center in the hypothalamus.
The thirst mechanism causes a decrease in plasma volume and increase in plasma
osmolality causes dry mouth. Dry mouth results from a decrease in water filtered
from the salivary gland. Because of this the salivary gland produces less saliva.
3. Describe the process of edema, where it can occur in the body, and the
symptomology that may be associated with it.
Edema is swelling caused by extra fluid trapped in the bodies tissues. Edema
is commonly found in the hands, arms, feet, and legs. Edema can happen from
medication, pregnancy, heart failure, kidney disease, or cirrhosis of the liver.
This study source was downloaded by 100000832361371 from CourseHero.com on 03-19-2022 20:26:29 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/25984715/Module-08-Lab-ZLdocx/
Module 08 Lab Worksheet: Fluid, Electrolyte,
and Acid-Base Balance
Introduction
This week’s lab will examine the dynamics of fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base
balance.
Objectives
Objectives for this week’s lab include: 1) Identify the body water content and fluid
compartments, 2) Define the factors that influence water balance, 3) Compare and
contrast electrolyte imbalances, 4) Describe how the body maintains an acid-base
balance, and 5) Compare and contrast the acid-base imbalances.
Overview
A cell’s ability to function and live depends on not only it’s ability to receive
nutrients and dispose of wastes but also to maintain homeostasis of the surrounding
fluids. The homeostasis and proper balance of water concentration, electrolytes,
and pH regulation is dependent upon a number of mechanisms and organ systems.
Failure on any level will lead to homeostatic imbalances that will cause dysfunction,
cellular death and even organism death.
Water occupies and is found in two regions of the body called fluid compartments:
Intracellular fluid (ICF) compartment and the extracellular fluid (ECF)
compartment. About 2/3 of the water volume is found in the ICF compartment
which is the water found inside of cells and the other 1/3 of water is found in the
ECF compartment, which is water fluid found around the cells. The ECF is further
divided into two regions: Blood plasma and interstitial fluid (IF). IF is the water
found in the spaces around and in between the cells. It is important to understand
the movement of fluid between the compartments and the effects the gain and loss
of water has on each of the compartments.
Water is a universal solvent being able to dissolve many solutes. Generally, solutes
are classified as electrolytes or nonelectrolytes. Due to their chemical properties,
nonelectrolytes, such as urea, glucose, lipids, do not dissolve in water and conduct
electricity. Electrolytes have the ability to dissociate into ions within water and will
have the ability to conduct electricity. Specific electrolyte concentration will vary
from ICF to ECF and is important to maintain proper electrolyte concentration to
maintain proper resting membrane potential charge of a cell.
Imbalances to the water balance within the body can have significant impacts on
electrolyte levels and overall body physiology. Three common water imbalances are:
Edema- accumulation of fluid in the interstitial space, which leads to swelling of the
tissues but not cells, Over-hydration or hypotonic hydration- having too much water
This study source was downloaded by 100000832361371 from CourseHero.com on 03-19-2022 20:26:29 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/25984715/Module-08-Lab-ZLdocx/
, within the fluid compartments which leads to severe metabolic disturbances, and
Dehydration- the general loss of water from the fluid compartments. It can include
solutes too in the loss. In any case, electrolyte imbalance will occur with water
imbalances. Sodium (Na+), potassium (K+) and calcium (Ca++) are the three main
electrolytes that the body needs to regulate to maintain proper physiology.
Acid-base balance is closely regulated by the body due to the influence pH (H+ ion
concentration) can have on functional proteins. There are three chemical buffer
systems that help regulate and resist changes to the body’s pH, which include:
Protein buffer system, Bicarbonate buffer system, and the Phosphate buffer system.
The respiratory and urinary systems also have mechanisms that help regulate acid-
base balance within the body.
Materials
Markers and color pencils of various colors
Large Post-It note presentation pads or paper presentation pads
Pre-Lab Evaluation Questions
The pre-lab evaluation questions must be answered prior to lab and demonstrated
to your lab instructor. You must read through the assigned chapter readings, lab
introduction, objectives, overview and procedure to answer these questions.
Please cite your work for any reference source you utilize in answering these
questions.
1. Compare and contrast the detailed characteristics to the intracellular fluid
(ICF) and extracellular fluid (ECF) compartments.
ICF is liquid found inside of the cells and ECF is found outside of the cells. ICF,
intracellular fluid, contains proteins and amino acids within the cells. ECF,
extracellular fluid has more ions.
2. Describe how osmoreceptors, a decrease in blood pressure (or volume) and a
dry mouth will activate the thirst center in the hypothalamus.
The thirst mechanism causes a decrease in plasma volume and increase in plasma
osmolality causes dry mouth. Dry mouth results from a decrease in water filtered
from the salivary gland. Because of this the salivary gland produces less saliva.
3. Describe the process of edema, where it can occur in the body, and the
symptomology that may be associated with it.
Edema is swelling caused by extra fluid trapped in the bodies tissues. Edema
is commonly found in the hands, arms, feet, and legs. Edema can happen from
medication, pregnancy, heart failure, kidney disease, or cirrhosis of the liver.
This study source was downloaded by 100000832361371 from CourseHero.com on 03-19-2022 20:26:29 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/25984715/Module-08-Lab-ZLdocx/
