osmoregulation- the kidneys

Question 1

what is osmoregulation

Answer 1

the process of maintaining water and salt concentrations across membranes within the body

Question 2

why is it important

Answer 2

maintaining water levels in the body is vital to prevent harmful changes occurring to cells of the body as a result of osmosis

Question 3

what is one way that the body can balance the water coming in against the water going out?

Answer 3

by adjusting the amount of water that is excreted by the kidneys in the urine,
if a person is sweating a lot or hans’t drunk enough water, the kidneys can reabsorb more water so that less is lost in the urine and water balance is maintained

Question 4

if body cells lose or gain too much water by osmosis what happens to them?

Answer 4

they do not function properly

Question 5

what can too much water in the cells lead to

Answer 5

cells swelling as water moves into them, this has a diluting effect and can lead to cell lysis (bursting)

Question 6

what can too little water in the cells lead to

Answer 6

cells lose water by osmosis as there is a too high concentration of ions and this has a dehydrating effect and can lead to cell death

Question 7

where can water being lost be controlled and where can it not be controlled

Answer 7

cannot be controlled in the lungs or skin
can be controlled in the production of urine by the kidneys

Question 8

what body part produces urea

Answer 8

liver

Question 9

crenation

Answer 9

dehydrated cells

Question 10

lysis

Answer 10

excess water in cells