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Questions and Answers
What is the name of the functional unit of the kidney?
What is the name of the functional unit of the kidney?
- Glomerulus
- Bowman's Capsule
- Nephron (correct)
- Renal Tubule
Which part of the kidney is responsible for collecting and draining urine into the ureter?
Which part of the kidney is responsible for collecting and draining urine into the ureter?
- Cortex
- Renal Tubule
- Pelvis (correct)
- Medulla
What is the name of the process where small molecules pass from blood into Bowman's capsule?
What is the name of the process where small molecules pass from blood into Bowman's capsule?
- Secretion
- Filtration (correct)
- Augmentation
- Reabsorption
What is the primary component of urine?
What is the primary component of urine?
What is the condition called when protein is found in urine?
What is the condition called when protein is found in urine?
Where does the reabsorption of essential substances occur in the nephron?
Where does the reabsorption of essential substances occur in the nephron?
What condition is characterized by high levels of non-protein nitrogen in the blood?
What condition is characterized by high levels of non-protein nitrogen in the blood?
What is the major function of the excretory system?
What is the major function of the excretory system?
Flashcards
Excretory System
Excretory System
Removes metabolic waste from the body; differs from defecation and secretion.
Major Excretory Organs
Major Excretory Organs
Organs responsible for excretion: kidneys, lungs, liver, skin.
Nephron
Nephron
Functional unit of the kidney; filters blood and produces urine.
Glomerulus
Glomerulus
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Bowman's Capsule
Bowman's Capsule
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Tubular Reabsorption
Tubular Reabsorption
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Albuminuria
Albuminuria
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Uremia
Uremia
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Study Notes
Excretory System Overview
- The excretory system removes metabolic waste from the body.
- This is distinct from defecation (undigested food removal) and secretion (release of useful substances).
- Key organs include kidneys, lungs, liver, and skin.
Kidney Structure and Function
- The kidney is composed of cortex, medulla, and pelvis.
- The cortex contains nephrons, the kidney's functional units.
- Each nephron includes glomerulus (filters blood), Bowman's capsule (collects filtrate), and renal tubules (reabsorb vital nutrients).
- The medulla contains loops of Henle and collecting ducts for urine concentration.
- The pelvis collects urine and directs it to the ureter.
Urine Formation Process
- Urine formation has three stages: filtration, reabsorption, and augmentation.
- Filtration (glomerular): Small molecules (water, glucose, salts, urea) pass from blood into Bowman's capsule, forming primary urine. Protein and blood cell leakage indicates potential kidney damage.
- Reabsorption (tubular): Essential substances (glucose, amino acids, ions, water) are reabsorbed from the filtrate into the blood. High glucose levels in urine might suggest diabetes mellitus.
- Augmentation (tubular): The final urine composition (water, salts, urea, waste products like urea, uric acid, ammonia, creatinine) is adjusted in the distal convoluted tubules and collecting ducts. Urine travels from the ureter → bladder → urethra for excretion.
Excretory Disorders
- Uremia: High levels of nitrogenous waste products in blood (urea, uric acid, creatinine); treated using hemodialysis.
- Renal failure: Kidney malfunction; advanced cases require a transplant.
- Renal calculi (Kidney stones): Solid crystal formations within kidney.
- Glomerulonephritis (Bright's disease): Glomerulus inflammation causing protein or RBC leakage to urine.
Other Excretory Organs
- Lungs: Remove carbon dioxide and water vapor via exhalation.
- Liver: Processes waste, converting ammonia into urea. It also breaks down toxins.
- Skin: Removes waste via sweat and helps maintain body temperature.
Skin Sensory Functions
- The skin acts as a sensory organ, detecting:
- Cold (Krause's corpuscles)
- Heat (Ruffini's corpuscles)
- Pressure (Pacinian corpuscles)
- Touch (Meissner's corpuscles)
- Pain (free nerve endings)
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