osmoregulation
/ˌɑzmoʊˌrɛɡjəˈleɪʃən/
noun
- The process by which living organisms control the balance of water and salts in their bodies.
- Osmoregulation is essential for keeping cells from shrinking or swelling.
- The kidneys play a major role in human osmoregulation.
- Fish use osmoregulation to survive in both fresh and salt water.