The term that describes substances that can conduct electricity in an aqueous solution is electrolytes. These substances, often salts, acids, or bases, dissociate into ions when dissolved in water, allowing the solution to conduct an electrical current. Electrolytes are essential for various physiological functions in living organisms, including nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and maintaining fluid balance. In industries, electrolytes are crucial in applications like batteries and chemical manufacturing, highlighting their importance in both biology and technology.