3.2.4

Osmotic Balance

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Osmotic Balance

Blood must be kept at the same water potential as blood cells (and other body cells) so that cells do not burst or shrink.

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Low water potential

  • A low water potential solution (hypertonic) has a lower water concentration and a higher ion concentration than cells.
  • If the blood becomes too concentrated, cells lose water by osmosis and shrink.
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High water potential

  • A high water potential solution (hypotonic) has a higher water concentration and a lower ion concentration than cells.
  • If the blood becomes too dilute, cells gain water by osmosis and burst.
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Equal water potential

  • Blood normally has the same water and ion concentration as cells (isotonic).
  • Homeostasis works to regulate the blood's water and ion concentrations so that water does not move into or out of cells.

Jump to other topics

1Classification of Living Organisms

2Organisation of the Organism

3Movement Into & Out of Cells

4Biological Molecules

5Enzymes

6Plant Nutrition

7Human Nutrition

8Transport in Plants

9Transport in Animals

10Diseases & Immunity

11Gas Exchange in Humans

12Respiration

13Excretion in Humans

14Coordination & Response

15Drugs

16Reproduction

17Inheritance

18Variation & Selection

19Organisms & Their Environment

20Human Influence on Ecosystems

21Biotechnology & Genetic Modification

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