Co-Authored By:
Water levels and mineral salts in the blood are controlled to protect animal cells by stopping too much water from entering or leaving them. The concentration of water and salts is the same inside and outside of the cells. If body cells lose or gain too much water by osmosis, they do not function efficiently.
Then, why is water balance important?
Maintaining water balance 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. Vasopressin stimulates the kidneys to conserve water and excrete less urine.
Consequently, what is water balance and why is it important for homeostasis?
Water is an essential feature of homeostasis in an organism. Water increases the volume of blood, which affects blood pressure and heart rate.
The kidneys can adjust the concentration of the urine to reflect the body's water needs, conserving water if the body is dehydrated or making urine more dilute to expel excess water when necessary. ADH is a hormone that helps the body to retain water by increasing water reabsorption by the kidneys.