The electrolytes are minerals found in the body in the ionic form. The minerals dissociate in water to form ions that contain a net electric charge. Homeostasis is a natural process within the body to control the internal body factors. Electrolyte homeostasis refers to a natural process within the body that controls the balance of mineral ions in the body. The central nervous system and the endocrine system help to maintain a constant electrolyte balance. Electrolytes are contained in the body fluids. These fluids include blood, urine, sweat, and other body fluids (Marieb, 2007). A constant electrolyte balance is important for the process of translocation and muscle movement. Important electrolytes in the human body include sodium, potassium and calcium. These electrolytes are obtained from the digested food materials in the body. An electrolyte balance in the body is controlled by the amount of water in the body. Water in the body is lost through several ways. These ways are dehydration, overhydration, medicines, kidney action, and too much vomiting (Marieb, 2007).
The human body physiology involves a set of processes that occur within the body. These processes include the transfer of digested food, minerals, water and elimination of wastes from the body. They involve the cell that is the basic unit of any living organism (Marieb, 2007). Electrolytes ease the movement of materials within the cell. The cell is comprised of a cell membrane that prevents the entry of materials into the cell. It also protects the mixing of body fluids and the cell fluid. Sodium and potassium ions are used to regulate this movement. The sodium potassium ion pump regulates the mechanism through which the ions enter the cell. The electrolytes penetrate into the cell or go out of the cell through specialized paths on the cell membrane. The difference in concentration of electrolytes inside and outside the cell makes the movement possible. The movement of ions always occurs from a region of low concentration to a region where their concentration is high. Adenosine triphosphate molecule provides the energy required for the active movement of the ions. The specific channels permit the movement of the specific ions to move from the region of low concentration to a point where the concentration is high.
Minerals obtained in food dissolve in water to form ions. Water moves freely in the body plasma and across the cell membrane. The concentration of ions in water creates an osmotic pressure that eases the movement of the ions. As the water moves in the body, ions move to regions where their concentration is high. When water moves near the cell membrane, an osmotic pressure potential develops between the water and the interstitial fluid of the cell. As a result, the ions in the water move to a region where the concentration is high. The body requires a constant concentration of ions. However, if the concentration of ions is high, the normal functions of body organs are altered. Homeostasis is important to maintain a steady concentration. For example, the kidney is used to maintain a constant concentration of electrolytes through the process of osmoregulation. Excess ions are removed from the body through excretion or sweating to maintain a steady level. When the level of ions is low, deamination of urea takes place in the kidney in order to release more ions (Marieb, 2007).
Reference
Marieb, E. (2007). Human Anatomy & Physiology. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Benjamin Cummings Press.