Hypothesis: The volume of urine I will produce will be at least half of the volume of fluids I will drink, due to the body's ability to carry out a water balance just as one would have on oxygen, carbon dioxide to maintain a healthy and working body. For example if I drink 1000cm3 of fluids then the expected amount of urine I should produce would be around 4000 cm3 to 6000 cm3 in a temperate condition in London, whereas if I were to carry out my experiment in another country such as Australia, my urine output will be considerably lower than that of my fluid take because of it is lost through sweat.
Theory:
Water
As the main substance found in fluids, which is essential for all human beings to drink and a substance found in urine, water will be a key issue in my experiment.
Water is a fundamental part of our lives and is highly dependant on human survival, ranked by experts as second, after oxygen as essential for life, it is only for this reason that it constitutes to 2/3 of our body weight. With the average body being 55 to 75% water, it is important to know what waters function in the body is and they consists of the following:
- aiding in digestion and absorption of food
- regulating body temperature and blood circulation
- transport medium
- carrying nutrients and oxygen to cell
- removing toxins and other wastes
- cushions joints and protects tissues and organs
- satisfy metabolic demand
- moistens oxygen for breathing
Inadequate intake of water compromises cell functions by contributing electrolyte imbalances, contraction of plasma volume, and inability to regulate body temperature.
The water balance in the body (fluid balance)
Water balance is the terminology given to the difference between the amount of water taken into the body and the amount excreted or lost. Water regulation is essential to homeostasis