Discuss how your body acts as an electrolytic capacitor

The Human Body as an Electrolytic Capacitor

The human body, in the context of electricity, is often referred to as a giant electrolytic capacitor. This is because the body, similar to a capacitor, can store electrical energy. In a capacitor, this is done through opposing charges accrued on two separated conductive plates. In our bodies, this is facilitated by the presence of charged ions within cells and bodily fluids (Kumar, & Nandakumar, 2012).

Electrolytes in the Human Body

Our bodies contain an abundance of electrolytes, which are substances that dissociate into ions in solution and can conduct electricity. Some common bodily electrolytes include sodium, potassium, and calcium ions. They are present throughout the body, including in the blood, intercellular fluids, and cellular fluids. Electrolytes maintain balance by shifting locations within the body based on their charged state (Cotran, Kumar, & Collins, 1999).

Capacitive Behavior of the Human Body

The principle of capacitive behaviour in electric circuits applies to the human body as well. This is referred to as the body's "bioimpedance". Essentially, the human body exhibits the properties of a capacitor because electrolytes provide a medium for the movement of these charged ions (electrical energy) within the body (Geddes, & Roeder, 2003). For example, nerve impulses are small bioelectric signals that are created by changes in the distribution of charge (ions) in and out of nerve cells.

Practical Applications

This knowledge has practical applications, mainly in health care. For instance, bioimpedance analysis (BIA) is a commonly used method for estimating body composition, harnessing our body's capacitive properties. This technique sends a small electric current through the body and measures the impedance, or opposition, to the current flow (Kyle et al., 2004). Since water, a primary component of the body, is a good conductor of electricity, the impedance measured can give information about the body's water content and its distribution.