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Osmotic Balance Challenges by Habitat

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State

A freshwater osmoregulator gains water and loses solutes to its dilute surroundings; a marine osmoregulator loses water and gains solutes to its concentrated surroundings.

Show

In a hospital, IV fluid osmolarity is matched to blood plasma to avoid triggering this same solute shift in patients.

Watch for

A terrestrial animal faces a distinct challenge — water loss to dry air, not liquid.