Chapter 16.3, Problem 1LO

Summary Introduction

To summarize:

The maintenance of the water-salt balance in the body by kidneys.

Given:

The water-salt balance in the body is maintained by the kidneys.

Introduction:

To maintain the water-salt balance, the intake of water through ingested foods and liquids and cellular metabolism must equalize with the output of water through urine, sweating, breathing, and feces. A balance of salt and water is important. Electrolytes refer to the inorganic components, which dissociate in water to give rise to ions. Sodium (Na) is the ion, which is found abundantly in the extracellular fluid and is the prime determiner of the solute concentration or osmolarity of the blood.