What are electrolytes?

Electrolytes are best defined as charged particles that can conduct an electrical current. This is because they exist in a solution as ions—positively charged cations and negatively charged anions—when the substances dissociate. These ions are crucial for a variety of physiological processes, including nerve signal transmission, muscle contraction, and maintaining fluid balance.

When electrolytes dissolve in a solvent, typically water, they break apart into their individual ions, which are then free to move about in the solution. This ability to move allows them to conduct electricity, making electrolytes vital for various cellular functions and overall bodily health.

The other options describe different types of substances that do not accurately define electrolytes. For instance, compounds that contain carbon refer to organic compounds but do not necessarily conduct electricity unless they are ionized. Neutral particles in a solution do not have electrical charges and, therefore, cannot conduct electrical current. Lastly, organic substances without electrical charge would not fit the definition of electrolytes, as they would not possess the necessary ionic charge to conduct electricity.