Osmoregulation

Front

What is osmoregulation?

Back

The maintenance of the osmotic concentration (amount of water and dissolved materials) within narrow limits, regardless of environmental conditions by an organism.

Front

What are the units for osmotic concentration?

Back

Osmoles per litre (osmol L−1).

Front

What are the two main types of animals in terms of osmoregulation?

Back

Osmoregulators and osmoconformers.

Front

What are osmoregulators?

Back

Organisms that can regulate the solute concentration of their body fluids above or below that of their external environment, controlling the osmolarity of their tissues within very narrow limits.

Front

Give examples of osmoregulators.

Back

Fish, humans, and birds.

Front

What are osmoconformers?

Back

Marine organisms that maintain an internal environment isosmotic (equal) to their external environment and cannot regulate the solutes of their body fluids at a concentration different from that of the external medium.

Front

Give examples of osmoconformers.

Back

Sea stars, molluscs, marine crabs, jellyfish, and other marine invertebrates.