electrolyte

electrolyte definition - medical

e·lec·tro·lyte (ĭ-lĕkˈtrə-lītˌ)

noun
  1. A chemical compound that ionizes when dissolved or molten to produce an electrically conductive medium.
  2. Any of various ions, such as sodium or chloride, required by cells to regulate the electric charge and flow of water molecules across the cell membrane.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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