Electrolyets

Electrolytes are important in your body and in the lab. Here's a look at what electrolytes are and why they matter.

What Are Electrolytes?

Electrolyets are chemicals that form ions in water (aqueous solution). Electrolytes form two types of ions in water. Cations are positively charged ions, while anions are negatively charged ions. Generally, electrolytes are salts, acids, and bases. Here is a list of common electrolytes in the human body:

• sodium (Na+)
• potassium (K+)
• calcium (Ca2+)
• magnesium (Mg2+)
• bicarbonate (HCO3-)
• chloride (Cl-)
• hydrogen carbonate (HCO3-)
• hydrogen phosphate (HPO42-)

Why Are Electrolytes Important?

In the body, electrolytes are like the electric company, supplying energy to perform biochemical reactions. For example, electrolytes are critical for conducting nerve impulses, contracting and relaxing muscles, cell-cell communication. maintaining pH, regulating blood and cell volume, regulating heartbeat, and breathing.

In the lab, it's important to be able to recognize electrolytes so you know what chemical species are formed in water and what types of reactions are possible.

What Are Sources of Electrolytes?

In a lab, any salt, base or acid is a source of electrolytes, as long as it is dissolved in water.

In your body, you get electrolytes from food and drinks. Sports drinks are a popular source of electrolytes. You get sodium and chlorine from salt. Other electrolytes are found as minerals in foods. For example, bananas are high in potassium.