Final answer:
Sports drinks contain electrolytes and water to maintain osmosis and promote rehydration during physical activity. They replace essential ions like sodium and potassium lost through sweat. These drinks come in hypotonic, isotonic, and hypertonic forms, each serving unique hydration purposes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sports drinks provide certain substances to help maintain cellular osmosis during physical activities. The correct answer to the question, "What do sports drinks provide to maintain cellular osmosis?" is b) Electrolytes and a balance of water. These drinks are formulated to replace electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and calcium, which are vital for nerve impulse conduction, muscle contractions, and maintaining water balance. These ions are lost through sweat when you exercise, and replenishing them is key for rehydration and preventing fatigue. Sports drinks come in various types such as hypotonic, isotonic, and hypertonic, each designed to cater to different hydration needs and carbohydrate replacement strategies.