Osmoregulation

Two important examples are controlling body temperature, called thermoregulation, and controlling the water balance of body fluids, called osmoregulation. They protect cells in different ways.

Water is continually gained through drinks, food and metabolic reactions, and lost in urine, sweat, faeces and exhaled air. These gains and losses vary, so the body must regulate its internal water content rather than allow it to change without control. This regulation is called osmoregulation and is part of homeostasis.

Osmoregulation keeps the water content and concentration of body fluids within safe limits.