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Question

20. Define osmoregulation. Which hormonal factor is responsible for drinking of water in human beings?

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Solution

The maintenance of constant osmotic pressure in the fluids of an organism by the control of water and salt concentrations.

Maintaining water balance

In the body, several mechanisms work together to maintain water balance. These include

  • Thirst

  • Interaction of the pituitary gland and kidneys

  • Osmosis


Thirst is one of the most important mechanisms to maintain water balance. When the body needs water, nerve centers deep within the brain are stimulated, resulting in the sensation of thirst. The sensation becomes stronger as the body’s need for water increases, motivating a person to drink the needed fluids. When the body has excess water, thirst is suppressed.

An interaction between the pituitary gland and the kidneys provides another mechanism. When the body is low in water, the pituitary gland (located at the base of the brain) secretes vasopressin (also called antidiuretic hormone) into the bloodstream. Vasopressin stimulates the kidneys to conserve water and excrete less urine. When the body has excess water, the pituitary gland secretes little vasopressin, enabling the kidneys to excrete excess water in the urine.

In osmosis, water flows passively from one area or compartment of the body to another. This passive flow allows the larger volumes of fluid in the cells and the area around the cells to act as reservoirs to protect the more critical but smaller volume of fluid in the blood vessels from dehydration.

This is perfromed by ADH is also called arginine vasopressin. It's a hormone made by the hypothalamusin the brain and stored in the posterior pituitary gland. It tells your kidneys how much water to conserve. ADH constantly regulates and balances the amount of water in your blood


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