Transport of Electrolytes Across Cell Membranes

Transport of Electrolytes across Cell Membranes

Electrolytes, such as sodium chloride, ionize in water, meaning that they dissociate into their component ions. In water, sodium chloride (NaCl), dissociates into the sodium ion (Na⁺) and the chloride ion (Cl^–). The most important ions, whose concentrations arevery closely regulated in body fluids, are the cations sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), calcium (Ca⁺²),magnesium (Mg⁺²), and the anions chloride (Cl^-), carbonate (CO₃^-2), bicarbonate (HCO₃^-), and phosphate(PO₃^-). Electrolytes are lost from the body during urination and perspiration. For thisreason, athletes are encouraged to replace electrolytes and fluids during periods of increased activity and perspiration.

Osmotic pressure is influenced by the concentration of solutes in a solution. It is directly proportional tothe number of solute atoms or molecules and not dependent on the size of the solute molecules. Because electrolytes dissociate into their component ions, they, in essence, add more solute particles into the solution and have a greater effect on osmotic pressure, per mass than compounds that do not dissociate in water, such as glucose.

Water can pass through membranes by passive diffusion. If electrolyte ions could passively diffuse across membranes, it would be impossible to maintain specific concentrations of ions in each fluid compartment therefore they require special mechanisms to cross the semi-permeable membranes in the body. This movement can be accomplished by facilitated diffusion and active transport. Facilitated diffusion requires protein-based channels for moving the solute. Active transport requires energy in the form of ATP conversion, carrier proteins, or pumps in order to move ions against the concentration gradient.