Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

Which of the following are considered electrolytes?

1. Potassium and magnesium

2. Sodium and chloride

3. Calcium and vitamin D

4. Iron and zinc

The correct answer is: Sodium and chloride

Electrolytes are minerals in your body that carry an electric charge and are essential for various physiological functions, including maintaining fluid balance, muscle contraction, and nerve signaling. The correct choice includes sodium and chloride, which are both key electrolytes found in body fluids. Sodium is crucial for maintaining blood pressure and volume, while chloride helps maintain a proper balance of fluids and aids digestion as part of gastric acid. The other options include combinations of minerals that do not both serve as electrolytes. Potassium and magnesium are indeed electrolytes, but this option doesn't highlight sodium and chloride, which are specifically known for their roles in electrolyte balance. Calcium, while important for bone health and also an electrolyte, is paired with vitamin D, which is a fat-soluble vitamin and not an electrolyte. The combination of iron and zinc represents essential trace minerals involved in various biochemical functions but does not include any electrolytes.