Osmoregulation
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Key Stage 4
Meaning
Osmoregulation is the process of keeping the concentration of water and salts constant in an organism.
About Osmoregulation in Humans
- Osmoregulation in humans is controlled by the kidneys.
- There are several ways humans can lose water so the kidneys must perform osmoregulation to ensure that too much water is not lost. The body loses water every time we exhale as some water vapour is lost from the lungs. The body also loses water when we sweat.
- Water is removed from the blood and passed into tubules in the kidneys. The water is then selectively reabsorbed into the blood depending on how much water is needed.
- Osmoregulation in the kidneys is affected by anti-diuretic hormone.
- When there is not enough water in the blood the pituitary gland secretes anti-diuretic hormone which causes the tubules allow water back into the blood.
- When there is too much water in the blood the pituitary gland stops secreting anti-diuretic hormone which causes the tubules stop allowing water back into the blood.