Extracellular

The extracellular fluid ( ECF ) is a common concept in cell biology and molecular biology. It refers to the space outside of the cell, which is filled with liquid. In addition to this, the space is called within the intracellular cell.

The cell membrane ( and in plants, the cell wall ) provides a barrier between two cellular spaces with very different chemical environment dar. In most organisms ensure eg Na / K -ATPase pump for a high sodium and low potassium levels outside cells. This is inter alia necessary for the excitability of the cell.

The extracellular space itself is in turn into two compartments, the inside of the heart, blood and lymph vessels lying vascular space ( IVR, intravascular compartment ) and the out- of vessels extravascular (EVR, extravascular compartment ) divided.

The extracellular space comprises metabolites, ions, proteins and many other substances which affect cell function. Thus, inter alia neurotransmitters from cell to cell are transmitted via the ECR. Hormones are transported via the ECR to the cell receptors. Other proteins which are active outside the cell, the digestive enzymes.

The term is often also extracellularly in relation to extracellular fluid (ECF ) is used, of which there are about 15 liters in the average human body. The transcellular fluid, which is also expected for the extracellular space, is located in the pleural, peritoneal and Perikardhöhlen as well as in the cerebrospinal fluid chamber of the eye as well as urinary and gastrointestinal tract.