Thread: Salt

Salt is necessary for life. I know sodium is involved in creating a 'membrane potential' (is that the right word?) in cells, so that's where the Na+ is useful (at least there), but what role does the Cl- play in the body?

If you are talking about action potentials (nerves) Cl- and Na+ both play a role among other things.

its more wide to say Salt's are important.

"Salt" refers a whole variety of compounds. A definition of salt is at this website.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt

This is the definition found on the website above
"a salt is any ionic compound composed of cations (positively charged ions) and anions (negative ions) so that the product is neutral (without a net charge)."

But relating to your question...
The following website gave a broad answer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_...cal_importance

This is the answer on the website
"Biological importance
Sodium chloride is essential to life on Earth. Most biological tissues and body fluids contain a varying amount of salt. The concentration of sodium ions in the blood is directly related to the regulation of safe body-fluid levels. Propagation of nerve impulses by signal transduction is regulated by sodium ions. (Potassium, a metal closely related to Sodium, is also a major component in the same bodily systems).

0.9% sodium chloride in water is called a physiological solution because it is isotonic with blood plasma. It is known medically as normal saline. Physiological solution is the mainstay of fluid replacement therapy that is widely used in medicine in prevention or treatment of dehydration, or as an intravenous therapy to prevent hypovolemic shock due to blood loss.

Humans are unusual among primates in secreting large amounts of salt by sweating."

Also, im think that a lack of salt in our blood can cause our blood to congeal but you might need to look into that.

I'm aware that 'salt' is a very general term...it actually bothers me when i just hear the word 'salt' and its not any more specific than that. I just figured people wouldn't really be thinking like that. anyways... thanks for the site (don't know why i didn't go there in the first place). oh, and i hope at least someone has realized that my avatar is from the Green Day song and that i'm not a weirdo...not a complete one anyway...

We are all weirdooossss

no.. just the ones who see lepricans when they go to bed...

Originally Posted by DaBOB

We are all weirdooossss

yeah, i guess that's true. glad i'm able to be a weirdo with the rest of you.

Its interesting, have u ever heard of Chloride shift.if not plz click on the link below



http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/cache/-476446680.htm

thanks, that was interesting

Hospitals use NaCl to treat wounds, that's a biological importance.