What is the typical extracellular concentration of magnesium (Mg++) in mEq/L?

The typical extracellular concentration of magnesium (Mg++) is approximately 1.2 mEq/L. This value reflects the significance of magnesium in various physiological processes, including acting as a cofactor for many enzymatic reactions, influencing muscle contraction and relaxation, and maintaining normal cellular functions.

In the extracellular fluid, magnesium levels are maintained within a narrower range compared to other electrolytes like sodium and potassium, which often have much higher concentrations. Understanding the normal range of magnesium is essential for recognizing conditions such as hypomagnesemia or hypermagnesemia, which can have profound physiological effects.

Other options like 2.4 mEq/L, 140 mEq/L, and 4 mEq/L do not accurately represent the typical physiological concentration of magnesium in extracellular fluid, as these values are either too high or not within the normal physiological range for this particular electrolyte. Therefore, knowing that 1.2 mEq/L is the standard helps provide insight into magnesium's role in both health and disease.