electrolyte

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electrolyte (i-lek-trŏ-lyt) n. a solution that produces ions; for example, sodium chloride solution consists of free sodium and free chloride ions. In medical usage electrolyte usually means the ion itself; thus the serum electrolyte level is the concentration of separate ions (sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, etc.) in the circulating blood. See also anion, cation.

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