Important Extracellular Fluid Constituents

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Normal Ranges and Physical Characteristics of Important Extracellular Fluid Constituents
Table: Lists the more important constituents and physical characteristics of extracellular fluid, along with their normal values, normal ranges, and maximum limits without causing death. Note the narrowness of the normal range for each one. Values outside these ranges are usually caused by illness.
Table-1
Important Constituents and Physical Characteristics of Extracellular Fluid
Normal Value
Normal Range
Approximate Short-Term Nonlethal Limit
Unit
Oxygen
40
35-40
10-1000
mm Hg
Carbon dioxide
40
35-40
5-80
mm Hg
Sodium ion
142
138-146
115-175
mmol/L
Potassium ion
4.2
3.8-5.0
1.5-9.0
mmol/L
Calcium ion
1.2
1.0-1.4
0.5-2.0
mmol/L
Chloride ion
108
103-112
70-130
mmol/L
Bicarbonate ion
28
24-32
8-45
mmol/L
Glucose
85
75-95
20-1500
mg/dl
Body temperature
98.4 (37.0)
98-98.8 (37.0)
65-110 (18.3-43.3)
°F (°C)
Acid base
7.4
7.3-7.5
6.9-8.0
pH

Most important are the limits beyond which abnormalities can cause death. For example, an increase in the body temperature of only 11°F (7°C) above normal can lead to a vicious cycle of increasing cellular metabolism that destroys the cells. Note also the narrow range for acid-base balance in the body, with a normal pH value of 7.4 and lethal values only about 0.5 on either side of normal. Another important factor is the potassium ion concentration, because whenever it decreases to less than one third normal, a person is likely to be paralyzed as a result of the nerves’ inability to carry signals. Alternatively, if the potassium ion concentration increases to two or more times normal, the heart muscle is likely to be severely depressed. Also, when the calcium ion concentration falls below about one half of normal, a person is likely to experience tetanic contraction of muscles throughout the body because of the spontaneous generation of excess nerve impulses in the peripheral nerves. When the glucose concentration falls below one half of normal, a person frequently develops extreme mental irritability and sometimes even convulsions.  
These examples should give one an appreciation for the extreme value and even the necessity of the vast numbers of control systems that keep the body operating in health; in the absence of any one of these controls, serious body malfunction or death can result.

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