Final answer:
Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a membrane in response to osmotic pressure caused by molecular imbalance. Osmoregulation maintains salt and water balance in the body's fluids. Electrolytes and non-electrolytes contribute to osmotic balance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a membrane in response to osmotic pressure caused by an imbalance of molecules on either side of the membrane. Osmoregulation is the process of maintaining salt and water balance (osmotic balance) across membranes within the body's fluids, which are composed of water, electrolytes, and non-electrolytes. An electrolyte is a solute that dissociates into ions when dissolved in water. A non-electrolyte does not dissociate into ions during water dissolution. Both electrolytes and non-electrolytes contribute to the osmotic balance.
The body's fluids include blood plasma, the cytosol within cells, and interstitial fluid, the fluid that exists in the spaces between cells and tissues of the body. The membranes of the body, such as the pleural, serous, and cell membranes, are semi-permeable membranes. Solutions on two sides of a semi-permeable membrane tend to equalize in solute concentration by movement of solutes and/or water across the membrane.