Functions of Chloride in human body

When chlorine reacts with sodium or hydrogen, however, it forms the negative chloride ion. Chloride an essential nutrient is required in the diet.

It is widely distributed in all plant foods. But most important source of chloride in the diet is common table salt i.e. sodium chloride.

Chloride moves passively across membranes through channels and so also associates with potassium inside cells. Like sodium and potassium, chloride maintains fluid and electrolyte balance.

Chloride is a key element in the hydrochloric acid secreted in gastric juice. The action of gastric enzymes requires the proper acidity level of stomach fluids.

Large amounts of chloride are found in the extracellular fluid but some amount is also found in the red blood cells and to a lesser degree in other cells.

Chloride ions help red blood cells transport large amounts of carbon dioxide to the lungs for release in breathing. The chloride ions move easily in and out of red blood cells in balance with the carbon dioxide to counteract any potential changes in the acid-base balance. This movement of chloride on and out of red blood cells is called the ‘chloride’ shift.

Severe deficiency of chloride occurs in cases of excessive vomiting and diarrhea when large amounts of chloride is lost resulting in alkalosis due to replacement of chloride with bicarbonate.
Functions of Chloride in human body

Electrolytes in the Human Body

Electrolytes are solutes that contain a charge in aqueous solutions. Most acids, bases and salts are soluble in water are electrolytes.

Electrolytes are negatively or positively charged ion. Although many substances in the body are electrolytes, in nutrition and in sports drinks, the term electrolytes refers to the three principal electrolytes in body fluids: sodium, potassium and chloride.

These are electrolytes are among the most commonly monitored electrolytes in clinical practice.

These electrolytes are important in maintaining fluid balance and allowing nerve impulses to travel throughout out bodies, signaling the activities that are essential for life.

Sodium and potassium carry a positive charge, and chloride carries a negative charge.

The concentration of sodium, potassium and chloride inside a cell differ dramatically from those outside the cell.

An electrolyte is stored either intracellular or extracellular.

Potassium is the principal positively charged intracellular ion, sodium is the most abundant positively charged extracellular and chloride is the principal negatively charged extracellular ion.

Fluid move though the body continuously. The heart pumps the blood, pressure is extend on the vessels from outside the body, and muscles relax and contract to help move the fluid through the vascular system. Fluid moves into and out of the cells and the extracellular spaces by osmotic pressure.

Osmotic pressure is determined by the concentration of the electrolytes and other solutes in water.

The greater the difference in charge between two regions, the greater is potential for ions to move to their oppositely charged regions.
Electrolytes in the Human Body