Osmoregulation
A homeostasisThe maintenance of steady conditions. The ability of the body to maintain a constant internal environment, eg temperature and blood glucose concentration. process that controls the amount of water in body fluids (e.g. blood). Poor control can lead to the osmosisThe process by which water moves in and out of cells from a high concentration to a low concentration. damage of body cells.
| Gain water | Lose water |
| Drinking | Evaporation in lungs |
| Eating | Evaporation of sweat |
| Respiration | Production of urine/faeces |
| Gain water | Drinking |
|---|---|
| Lose water | Evaporation in lungs |
| Gain water | Eating |
|---|---|
| Lose water | Evaporation of sweat |
| Gain water | Respiration |
|---|---|
| Lose water | Production of urine/faeces |
In normal conditions, the amount of water gained balances with the amount lost.
If conditions change, osmoregulationA form of homeostasis which controls the volume of water in the body. brings the volumes back into balance.
| Hot weather/exercise | Drink more than normal | |
| Body water levels | Lose more water as sweat | More water in body |
| Osmoregulation | Kidney produces small volume of concentrated urine. Makes us thirsty so we increase water brought into body | Kidney produces large volume of dilute urine |
| Effect | More water is retained = water levels increase | More water is lost = water levels decrease |
| Body water levels | |
| Hot weather/exercise | Lose more water as sweat |
| Drink more than normal | More water in body |
| Osmoregulation | |
| Hot weather/exercise | Kidney produces small volume of concentrated urine. Makes us thirsty so we increase water brought into body |
| Drink more than normal | Kidney produces large volume of dilute urine |
| Effect | |
| Hot weather/exercise | More water is retained = water levels increase |
| Drink more than normal | More water is lost = water levels decrease |