Abstract The water contained in the body is divided amongst compartments of differing sizes and compositions. The dynamic balance across these compartments is an essential component of normal physiology. Here, the calculation of these volumes by measuring the dilution of markers able to permeate specific compartments is considered. Furthermore, the potential disadvantages to the approach are …
Abstract This article first outlines definitions and descriptions of key terms that will be used in the discussions that follow including osmolarity, osmolality, osmotic and oncotic pressure. The physicochemical properties of water, ions and organic molecules are discussed in terms of their biological roles. Similarly, the interactions of amphipathic molecules and their three-dimensional struc…
Abstract The traditional approach to acidebase physiology is based on the HendersoneHasselbalch equation which is derived from the CO2=HCO3 buffer system. However, it is becoming increasingly recognized that this is an incomplete analysis as it focuses on only one of the six reactions involving H þ and can lead to the incorrect assumption that CO2 and HCO3 are independentlyadjusted facto…