Final answer:
Animal cells maintain water balance and homeostasis through osmosis, the regulation of electrolyte concentration, and systemic hormonal control like the action of ADH. These mechanisms ensure cells retain their functional shape and contribute to the overall dynamic steady state of the organism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Animal cells maintain an appropriate water balance and homeostasis through a combination of physiological and cellular mechanisms. To achieve balance in water concentration inside and outside the cells, a process called osmosis plays a vital role. Osmosis is the movement of water through a semi-permeable membrane from an area of higher water concentration to one of lower water concentration. Additionally, cells regulate water balance by controlling the concentration of electrolytes, since water follows the movement of these charged particles.
Marine animals, for example, are adapted to live in hypertonic environments by intaking large quantities of water and secreting excess salt. This prevents their cells from losing too much water. Similarly, our red blood cells maintain their shape and functionality by being in an isotonic solution, avoiding bursting (in a hypotonic environment) or shrinking (in a hypertonic environment).
The body's systemic regulation of water involves hormones like ADH (antidiuretic hormone), which enhances water reabsorption in the kidneys, conserving water when dehydrated, or producing more dilute urine to expel excess water when needed. Through these and other mechanisms, such as the adjustment of urine concentration by the kidneys, animals are able to maintain internal conditions within a narrow range, ensuring dynamic homeostasis despite environmental changes.