27. FLUID, ELECTROLYTE, AND ACID–BASE HOMEOSTASIS

27. FLUID, ELECTROLYTE, AND ACID–BASE HOMEOSTASIS

INTRODUCTION

•  The regulation of the volume and composition of body fluids, their distribution throughout the body, 
• and balancing the pH of body fluids is crucial to maintaining overall homeostasis and health.

•  One important function of the kidneys is to help maintain fluid balance in the body.
• The water and dissolved solutes throughout the body constitute the body fluids. 

• Regulatory mechanisms involving the kidneys and other organs normally maintain homeostasis of the body fluids. 
• Malfunction in any or all of them may seriously endanger the functioning of organs throughout the body. 

• In this chapter, we will explore the mechanisms that regulate the volume and distribution of body fluids and examine the factors that determine the concentrations of solutes and the pH of body fluids.