10/30/2011

2.68b)- Osmoregulation

Understand how the kidney carries out its role of osmoregulation


Osmo- Osmosis
Regulation- Control


  • The tissue fluid must be isotonic (equal amount of water going in and out) so that the cells retain their shape and size and are able to function
  • Blood circulating into the tissue may be too concentrated (hypertonic tissue fluid) or may be too dilute (hypotonic tissue fluid)
  • To keep the tissue fluid isotonic, the composition of the blood must be controlled by the kidney
  • Excess water and salts can be removed and excreted through the ureter to control the composition of the blood
  • This would mean that the tissue fluid could be kept isotonic with the cells cytomplasm

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