Body Fluid Compartments
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Abstract
Water is the most abundant component of the body. It is essential for life in all human beings and animals. Water is the only solvent of the body in which electrolytes and other nonelectrolyte solutes are dissolved. An electrolyte is a substance that dissociates in water into charged particles called ions. Positively charged ions are called cations. Negatively charged ions are called anions. Glucose and urea do not dissociate in water because they have no electric charge. Therefore, these substances are called nonelectrolytes.
Suggested Reading
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