Final answer:
Osmosis maintains the balance of water and solute levels in cells, critical for their structure, function, and survival. It affects how organisms manage water absorption and retention, and it is a fundamental process in medical practices, especially when administering IV fluids.
Step-by-step explanation:
Osmosis is critical to the survival of a cell because it involves the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from a region of higher water concentration to one of lower concentration. This balance of water and solute levels is vital for maintaining cell structure, nutrient absorption, and waste removal. For instance, if a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, water enters the cell, which can cause it to swell and burst in a process known as hemolysis. In contrast, if placed in a hypertonic solution, the cell can shrink and potentially die, through a process called crenation. These principles also apply to medicine, such as determining the proper osmotic pressure for IV fluids, which must be isotonic with blood serum to prevent damage to red blood cells.
Moreover, osmosis also plays a fundamental role in various other biological functions, such as plants drawing water from the soil, maintaining blood pressure, and supporting kidney function through processes similar to osmosis known as dialysis. Osmotic pressure affects organisms on a larger scale too. For example, drinking seawater increases the osmotic pressure in the body, drawing water out of cells and leading to dehydration.