Not only do electrons flow along a wire in an electric circuit, but electrons can also be carried through water if it contains ions in solution. Ionic solutions that conduct electricity in a manner similar to wire are called electrolytes. The conductance of electrolytes is the result of the movement of ions through the solution towards the electrodes. When two electrodes in a solution are part of a complete electrical circuit, the cations (+) are attracted to the negative pole (cathode) and the anions ()) are attracted to the positive pole (anode).