This deep dive covers Deep Dive: Homeostasis Definition within Water Regulation for GCSE Biology. Topic 7: Water Regulation It is section 2 of 12 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
🔬 Deep Dive: Homeostasis Definition
Homeostasis = the regulation of the internal conditions of a cell or organism to maintain optimum conditions for function, in response to internal and external changes.
What needs to be controlled:
- Body temperature: Enzymes work best at 37°C — too hot they denature, too cold reactions are too slow
- Blood glucose concentration: Cells need glucose for respiration but too much damages cells
- Water levels: Cells need the right amount of water for reactions; maintains osmotic balance
Practice questions for Water Regulation
Where does the filtration of blood take place in the kidney?
Describe the process of selective reabsorption in the kidney and explain why it is important.
Quick recall flashcards
What is ADH and what does it do?
ADH (antidiuretic hormone) is released by the pituitary gland. It makes the kidneys reabsorb more water from the filtrate back into the blood, producing smaller amounts of more concentrated urine.
What is osmoregulation?
Osmoregulation is the control of the water content and ion concentration of the blood. The kidneys are the main organs responsible for this.