Which Body Fluid Compartment Contains Higher Levels of Na⁺, Cl⁻

Question

Which body fluid compartment contains higher levels of Na⁺, Cl⁻, and HCO₃⁻?
A) plasma only
B) interstitial fluid only
C) intracellular fluid only
D) both plasma and intracellular fluid
E) both plasma and interstitial fluid

Accepted Answer

Plasma and interstitial fluid, which are both components of the extracellular fluid, contain higher levels of Na⁺, Cl⁻, and HCO₃⁻ compared to the intracellular fluid. Intracellular fluid typically has lower concentrations of these ions.