Excretory System and Kidney Function

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Questions and Answers

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?

  • Cortex
  • Renal Tubule
  • Pelvis (correct)
  • Medulla

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?

<p>Urea (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the condition called when protein is found in urine?

<p>Albuminuria (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where does the reabsorption of essential substances occur in the nephron?

<p>Proximal Convoluted Tubule (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What condition is characterized by high levels of non-protein nitrogen in the blood?

<p>Uremia (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the major function of the excretory system?

<p>Removing waste products (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Excretory System

Removes metabolic waste from the body; differs from defecation and secretion.

Major Excretory Organs

Organs responsible for excretion: kidneys, lungs, liver, skin.

Nephron

Functional unit of the kidney; filters blood and produces urine.

Glomerulus

Cluster of capillaries in nephron that filters blood to form primary urine.

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Bowman's Capsule

Surrounds the glomerulus, collecting filtered substances to form primary urine.

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Tubular Reabsorption

Process where essential substances are reabsorbed into the blood in the nephron.

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Albuminuria

Presence of protein in urine, indicating kidney damage.

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Uremia

High levels of urea and other waste in blood; may require hemodialysis.

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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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