Simple Pharmanotes: Various Body Fluids and Introduction to Blood.

Various Body Fluids and Introduction to Blood.

Various Body Fluids:

The fluid of each cell contains its individual mixture of different constituents, but the concentrations of these substances are similar from one cell to another.
The intracellular fluid contains large amounts of potassium and phosphate ions and proteins.
It contains moderate quantities of magnesium and sulphate ions.
The intracellular fluid contains only small quantities of sodium and chloride ions and almost no calcium ions.

The extracellular fluid contains large amounts of sodium and chloride ions, reasonably large amounts of bicarbonate ions
Small quantities of potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphate and organic acid ions are present.
The composition of extracellular fluid is carefully regulated by various mechanisms but especially by the kidneys. This allows the cells to remain continually bathed in a fluid that contains the proper concentration of electrolytes and nutrients for proper cell function.

Interstitial fluid (= tissue fluid): Present between the tissues.
Blood Plasma: Present in Blood.
Lymph Plasma: It is present in the lymph.
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF): It is present inside the brain and spinal cord.
Intraocular Fluid: Present inside the eyeball.
Serous Fluid: Present in serous membranes e.g. Intra pleural fluid, pericardial fluid and peritoneal fluid.
Synovial Fluid: It is present in the synovial joints.
Digestive Fluid: Digestive juices in GIT.

Blood is a liquid connective tissue that consists of cells surrounded by an extracellular matrix.

Blood transports oxygen from the lungs to the cells of the body and carries carbon dioxide from the body cells to the lungs for exhalation.
It carries nutrients from the gastrointestinal tract to body cells and hormones from endocrine glands to cells throughout the body.
Blood also transports heat and waste products to the lungs, kidneys, and skin for elimination from the body.

Blood can clot, which protects against its excessive loss after an injury.
In addition, white blood cells protect against disease by carrying on phagocytosis.
Several types of blood proteins, including antibodies, interferons, etc. help protect against diseases.

Blood is thicker than water.
The temperature of blood is about 38℃ (100.4℉), which is slightly higher than normal body temperature.
It has a slightly alkaline pH 7.4.
The color of blood varies.
When saturated with oxygen it is bright red; when unsaturated with oxygen, the blood is dark red to purple.
Blood constitutes about 8 percent of the total body weight.
The blood volume is 5–6 liters in an average-sized adult male and 4–5 liters (1.2 gal) in an average-sized adult female.