osmoregulation

Question 1

what is osmoregulation?

Answer 1

the process of maintaining water & salt concentrations across membranes in the body

Question 2

what is osmoregulation an example of?

Answer 2

homeostasis

Question 3

why is osmoregulation important?

Answer 3

• cytoplasm of most cells is largely composed of water- same with the blood plasma
• maintaining water levels in the body is vital as a result of osmosis
• if cells lose or gain too much water, they do not function efficiently

Question 4

what are the 2 sources of water in the body?

Answer 4

• water produced as a result of aerobic respiration
• water in the diet

Question 5

how is water lost from the body?

Answer 5

• via the lungs (exhalation)- breathing out
• lost from the skin as sweat

Question 6

what is the control of water reabsorption by the tubules an example of?

Answer 6

negative feedback

Question 7

if the water content of the blood is too high, how much water is reabsorbed?

Answer 7

less water

Question 8

if the water content of the blood is too low, how much water is reabsorbed?

Answer 8

more water

Question 9

what gland releases ADH?

Answer 9

the pituitary gland

Question 10

what does ADH affect in the nephron?

Answer 10

the permeability of the tubules to water

Question 11

if the water content of the blood is too high?

Answer 11

• pituitary gland releases less ADH
• less water is reabsorbed by osmosis due to the collecting duct being less permeable to water
• the kidneys produce a large volume of dilute urine

Question 12

if the water content of the blood is too low?

Answer 12

• pituitary gland releases more ADH
• more water is reabsorbed by osmosis due to the collecting duct being more permeable to water
• the kidneys produce a smaller volume of concentrated urine