Question

What is meant by the term osmoregulation?

Answer 1

Hint: To derive the correct answer, you must first breakdown the word osmoregulation into two parts. On breaking, we get osmo and regulation. Osmo meaning anything relating to osmosis and regulation means control. So it means regulation of osmosis.

Complete answer:
Osmoregulation is a process by which the osmotic pressure inside the body of an organism is maintained which is generally detected by the osmoreceptors present in the body. The main function of the process of osmoregulation is to maintain homeostasis inside the body cells so that there remains an accurate concentration of solutes and water inside the body of an organism. Osmoregulation is highly pronounced in marine animals where a high salt concentration occurs in water. In fresh water cells, water tends to readily enter their bodies through endosmosis. This is prevented by the excretion of very dilute urine that prevents excess accumulation of water. Moreover salt is also retained in their bodies through the use of mitochondria rich cells. In marine fishes, the osmotic concentration inside their bodies is lower than that of the surrounding environment. So it tends to gain more salt and retains less water. Therefore they drink more water and excrete concentrated urine. These two mechanisms are relatively opposite mechanisms due to the different requirements by the organisms that pertains to their conditions.

Note:
Osmoregulation is an important process to life. Both the minerals and salt are important to the body of an organism. They must be present in equilibrium so that the organism is able to function properly. Osmoregulation helps to maintain an ambient internal environment inside the body which is achieved by equilibrium.