osmoregulation

American  

[oz-moh-reg-yuh-ley-shuhn, os-] / ˌɒz moʊˌrɛg yəˈleɪ ʃən, ˌɒs- /

noun

1. the process by which cells and simple organisms maintain fluid and electrolyte balance with their surroundings.

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osmoregulation British  

/ ˌɒzməʊˌrɛɡjʊˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. zoology the adjustment of the osmotic pressure of a cell or organism in relation to the surrounding fluid

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Etymology

Origin of osmoregulation

First recorded in 1930–35; osmo- + regulation

Example Sentences

Scientists wanted to determine how salinity affects ichthyocarbonate production, which is known to increase as fish adjust to saltier conditions through normal osmoregulation.

From Science Daily • May 31, 2026

"We thought that freshwater insects might be shifting so much of their energy toward osmoregulation in saltier environments that they cannot grow or thrive," Buchwalter says.

From Science Daily • Oct. 6, 2023

That way the animal doesn't have to work as hard to maintain osmoregulation.

From Science Daily • Oct. 6, 2023

Various living things have ways of controlling the effects of osmosis—a mechanism called osmoregulation.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

I grabbed a yellow legal pad where Fred had recorded pages of notes on great white shark behavior, reproduction, and something called osmoregulation.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen