Exam 1 Review:  Chapter 17:  Body Fluids/Compartments

intracellular fluid - [aka cytoplasm] The protein-rich fluid compartment consisting of the cytoplasm (internal contents) of all the cells of the body where many of the metabolic activities of the cell occur.

extracellular fluid - The fluid compartment consisting of the various protein-poor fluids found external to all the cells of the body.  The extracellular fluid is often subdivided into the interstitial fluid and the plasma.

interstitial fluid = intercellular fluid = tissue fluid - The clear, yellowish protein-poor fluid located between cells in all tissues except blood; it may also be referred to as lymph; this fluid is the medium of exchange for respiratory gases, nutrients, wastes, and regulatory substances between the plasma and the tissue cells.  [Note:  in terms of composition and physiological functions, lymph is equivalent to the interstitial fluid.]

lymph - The specific name give to the clear, yellowish protein-poor fluid located between cells in all tissues except blood after it has been collected into the vessels of the lymphatic drainage system; it may also be referred to as lymph before it is collected into those vessels; its functions include transport of absorbed lipids from the meals, the return of excess extracellular/interstitial fluid to the cardiovascular system, and a variety of immune defense functions.

plasma - The clear, yellowish protein-rich fluid portion (matrix) of blood in which red and white blood cells and platelets are suspended; it differs from serum in that it contains fibrin and other soluble clotting elements; this fluid is the medium of transport and solvent for respiratory gases, nutrients, wastes, and regulatory and immune defense molecules between the organs and tissues in different parts of the body.

List:

1. The major fluid compartments of the body. How do they interact?

          (1) intracellular fluid (cytoplasm) and (2) extracellular fluid (consists of (a) blood plasma and (b) interstitial fluid = intercellular fluid = tissue fluid)

          These compartments exchange water and dissolved solutes (respiratory gases, nutrients, wastes, regulatory and immune defense molecules) by means of diffusion and other passive transport mechanisms through the semipermeable cell membranes and the cell layers which separate them.  Regulating the composition of these different fluids in the different compartments in crucial to maintaining internal homeostasis.