Final answer:
Osmoreceptors detect changes in solute concentration of the interstitial fluid based on osmotic pressure and play a critical role in maintaining the balance of electrolytes and the water amount in the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
Osmoreceptors are specialized neurons that detect changes in solute concentration of the interstitial fluid. These receptor cells sense differences in the concentrations of bodily fluids on the basis of osmotic pressure.
When the levels of solutes in the blood, such as sodium ions, increase beyond a certain threshold, osmoreceptors activate to maintain homeostasis. They signal the release of hormones like antidiuretic hormone (ADH) which instructs the kidneys to reabsorb water and reduce water loss. In this way, osmoreceptors are crucial in controlling the balance of electrolytes and the water amount in the body, thereby preventing dehydration or over-hydration.