Explain the Compartments of Body Water?

Within the body, water is found in two major compartments. These are:

- The intracellular compartment (inside the cell)

- The extracellular compartment (outside the cell)

The water containing varied concentrations of bio-chemicals in these compartments is, therefore, referred to as intracellular fluid (ZCF) and extracellular fluid (ECF). Intracellular fluid compartment constitutes two-thirds of the total body water, as illustrated in Figure.

Figure: Intracellular fluid compartment: two-thirds of the total body water

The chemical composition of these fluid compartments varies from place to place in the body, depending on the type of cells the fluid within and around it. The intracellular and extracellular fluid compartments are separated by the semi-permeable membranes of the body's cells. These membranes allow water to pass through term but form a selective barrier to other chemicals, allowing them to diffuse or to be carried readily and restricting the passage of many others.