Final answer:
The urinary system, incorporating the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, is responsible for filtering blood, regulating water balance, and maintaining homeostasis. It encompasses filtering waste, maintaining electrolytes, and aiding in other critical bodily functions like blood pressure regulation and erythrocyte development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The body system responsible for filtering blood and regulating water balance is known as the urinary system. This system includes vital organs such as the kidneys, which are the main osmoregulatory organs filtering the blood to maintain the dissolved ion concentrations of body fluids. The kidneys consist of three distinct regions: cortex, medulla, and pelvis. Blood is transported into and out of the kidneys via the aorta and inferior vena cava, respectively.
Nephrons are the functional units of the kidney that actively filter blood and generate urine. Urine is then channeled through ureters to the urinary bladder for storage and eventually expelled from the body through the urethra. The kidneys also produce an enzyme called renin and various hormones that help regulate blood pressure, red blood cell production, and the balance of calcium and phosphorus.
Moreover, the urinary system works closely with other systems like the adrenal cortex, lungs, and liver in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system to regulate blood pressure and ensure homeostasis. Homeostasis reflects the balance maintained within the body's internal environment, and the kidneys play a crucial role by also sharing pH regulation with the lungs and plasma buffers.