QUESTIONS AND ANSWERSBIO 202L LAB 15:
ELECTROLYTES, WATER, ACIDS &
BASESCOMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS –
2026/2027
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONAL CONCEPTS (Questions 1-20)
Question 1
What are electrolytes?
Answer: Electrolytes are substances that dissociate into ions when dissolved in water and
conduct electrical signals.
Rationale: Electrolytes are essential for nerve conduction, muscle contraction, fluid balance,
and pH regulation. They exist as cations (+ charge) and anions (- charge).
Question 2
What are the four main functions of electrolytes in the body?
Answer:
1. Maintaining fluid balance (osmoregulation)
2. Transmitting nerve impulses (action potentials)
3. Controlling muscle contraction
4. Regulating acid-base balance (pH homeostasis)
Rationale: Without electrolytes, nerves cannot fire, muscles cannot contract, and fluid would
shift uncontrollably between compartments.
, Question 3
True or False: Electrolytic balance is not required to maintain homeostasis.
Answer: FALSE
Rationale: Electrolytic balance is ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED to maintain homeostasis. Imbalances
can cause cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, coma, and death.
Question 4
What are the three important acid-base buffer systems in body fluids?
Answer:
1. Bicarbonate Buffer System
2. Phosphate Buffer System
3. Protein Buffer System
Rationale: The Sodium/Potassium buffer is NOT a buffer system. The bicarbonate system is most
important in blood; phosphate is important in urine; proteins (hemoglobin) buffer inside cells.
Question 5
What comprises a typical buffer system?
Answer: A weak acid and a salt of that acid (its conjugate base).
Rationale: Example: Carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃). The weak acid
donates H⁺ when pH rises; the conjugate base absorbs H⁺ when pH falls.
Question 6
What is the Balance Concept?
Answer: The idea that input must equal output for fluid and electrolyte homeostasis.
Rationale: Water intake (beverages, food, metabolism) must equal water loss (urine, feces,
sweat, insensible losses). Electrolyte intake must match electrolyte excretion.
Question 7
What accounts for the majority of daily water intake?
ELECTROLYTES, WATER, ACIDS &
BASESCOMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS –
2026/2027
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONAL CONCEPTS (Questions 1-20)
Question 1
What are electrolytes?
Answer: Electrolytes are substances that dissociate into ions when dissolved in water and
conduct electrical signals.
Rationale: Electrolytes are essential for nerve conduction, muscle contraction, fluid balance,
and pH regulation. They exist as cations (+ charge) and anions (- charge).
Question 2
What are the four main functions of electrolytes in the body?
Answer:
1. Maintaining fluid balance (osmoregulation)
2. Transmitting nerve impulses (action potentials)
3. Controlling muscle contraction
4. Regulating acid-base balance (pH homeostasis)
Rationale: Without electrolytes, nerves cannot fire, muscles cannot contract, and fluid would
shift uncontrollably between compartments.
, Question 3
True or False: Electrolytic balance is not required to maintain homeostasis.
Answer: FALSE
Rationale: Electrolytic balance is ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED to maintain homeostasis. Imbalances
can cause cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, coma, and death.
Question 4
What are the three important acid-base buffer systems in body fluids?
Answer:
1. Bicarbonate Buffer System
2. Phosphate Buffer System
3. Protein Buffer System
Rationale: The Sodium/Potassium buffer is NOT a buffer system. The bicarbonate system is most
important in blood; phosphate is important in urine; proteins (hemoglobin) buffer inside cells.
Question 5
What comprises a typical buffer system?
Answer: A weak acid and a salt of that acid (its conjugate base).
Rationale: Example: Carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃). The weak acid
donates H⁺ when pH rises; the conjugate base absorbs H⁺ when pH falls.
Question 6
What is the Balance Concept?
Answer: The idea that input must equal output for fluid and electrolyte homeostasis.
Rationale: Water intake (beverages, food, metabolism) must equal water loss (urine, feces,
sweat, insensible losses). Electrolyte intake must match electrolyte excretion.
Question 7
What accounts for the majority of daily water intake?
