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The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1998
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Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The - 1998 Edition (1998)(Epic Marketing).iso
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Osmoregulation
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1992-09-01
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The process whereby the water content of
living organisms is maintained at a constant
level. If the water balance is disrupted, the
concentration of salts will be too high or
too low, and vital functions, such as nerve
conduction, will be adversely affected. In
mammals, loss of water by evaporation is
counteracted by increased intake and by
mechanisms in the kidneys that enhance the
rate at which water is resorbed before urine
production. Both these responses are mediated
by hormones, primarily those of the adrenal
cortex (see adrenal gland).