Homeostasis and water balance - Homeostasis - AQA Synergy - GCSE Combined Science Revision - AQA Synergy - BBC Bitesize

Homeostasis and water balance Osmoregulation is the control of water levels and mineral salts in the blood. Water levels and mineral salts in the blood are controlled to protect cells by stopping too much water from entering or leaving them.If body cells lose or gain too much water by osmosis, they do not function efficiently.If the concentration of water is the same inside and out the cells, they remain in their normal state. If the water concentration is too high outside, water enters the cell by and they may burst.On the other hand, if the water concentration is too low outside compared with the inside of the cells, water will leave by osmosis and the cells may shrivel. If body cells lose or gain too much water by osmosis, they do not function efficiently.Plants also undergo the process of osmosis, in the same way that animals cells do, but they do not burst when placed in distilled water, because of their cell walls.Plant cells are or firm, when they are full of water.If cell walls...