What is osmoregulation?

Osmoregulation is a complex process that refers to the control of the water and mineral salts content of the body. The process prevents the fluids in the body from becoming too concentrated or diluted.

The water content in the body is controlled is several forms, with mechanisms in place to account for water loss. These include sweating and eliminating water through urine. Osmoreceptors exist in the hypothalamus, whose role is to detect a decrease in the water potential of blood. By absorbing water from fluids, the body prevents the excretion of too much fluid. The excretory system of humans is the most important way to osmoregulate.