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Osmosis is the process that constitutes the movement of solvent across a membrane in response to differences in osmotic pressure across the membrane.  Water migrates across the membrane toward the side containing more concentrated solute. The osmolality of body fluids may be measured in serum or urine.  The osmotic pressure is maintained by the charged solutes in the plasma, i.e., sodium, potassium, iron, bicarbonate, chloride, protein, etc.  The osmotic pressure must be maintained within fairly narrow range in the water compartments of the body. If the pressure becomes too high, it can result in pressure on the brain and brainstem; too low pressure tends to decrease the structural integrity of solid tissues.  The regulation of the osmolality is controlled by thirst and ADH function in the renal tubules.