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Questions and Answers
What process converts excess protein into less harmful carbohydrates?
What process converts excess protein into less harmful carbohydrates?
Uric acid is produced during the breakdown of carbohydrates.
Uric acid is produced during the breakdown of carbohydrates.
False
What is the functional unit of the kidney called?
What is the functional unit of the kidney called?
nephron
The__________ is responsible for controlling your body’s water balance.
The__________ is responsible for controlling your body’s water balance.
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Match the components of the nephron with their functions:
Match the components of the nephron with their functions:
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Which substance is formed when the liver combines ammonia with carbon dioxide?
Which substance is formed when the liver combines ammonia with carbon dioxide?
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The renal veins transport blood from the kidneys back to the heart.
The renal veins transport blood from the kidneys back to the heart.
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What is the primary function of the kidneys?
What is the primary function of the kidneys?
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The __________ arteries bring blood to the kidneys.
The __________ arteries bring blood to the kidneys.
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When the bladder becomes too full, what message is sent to the brain?
When the bladder becomes too full, what message is sent to the brain?
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Which of the following substances can pass through the glomerulus during filtration?
Which of the following substances can pass through the glomerulus during filtration?
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All fluid that flows through the kidney becomes urine.
All fluid that flows through the kidney becomes urine.
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What is the main function of the Loop of Henle in the nephron?
What is the main function of the Loop of Henle in the nephron?
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Reabsorption occurs through both passive and __________ transport mechanisms.
Reabsorption occurs through both passive and __________ transport mechanisms.
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Match the nephron process with its description:
Match the nephron process with its description:
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What process follows the filtration in the nephron?
What process follows the filtration in the nephron?
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In active transport, energy is required to move substances across a membrane.
In active transport, energy is required to move substances across a membrane.
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Name one ion that is actively pumped across the nephron membrane.
Name one ion that is actively pumped across the nephron membrane.
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Study Notes
Waste Excretion and Internal Equilibrium
- Waste products, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), are generated by the body.
- The liver converts toxins, like alcohol, into less harmful substances.
- These less harmful substances are sent to the kidneys for excretion.
Waste Products (Kidneys)
- Excess protein is converted to carbohydrates, creating an amino group.
- Deamination is the process of converting excess protein into less harmful substances.
- Amino groups are converted into ammonia, a toxic substance. Ammonia is toxic to the body.
- The liver combines carbon dioxide (CO2) and ammonia to form urea.
- Urea is sent to the kidneys for excretion.
- Uric acid is a waste product formed during the breakdown of nucleic acids also sent to the kidneys.
Water Balance
- The kidneys are crucial for maintaining a stable water balance in the body.
- Water loss occurs even on a daily basis so water needs to be replaced.
- Water is more vital than food, and without sufficient water intake, death can occur within 3 days.
- The kidneys play a role in filtering and regulating water levels.
- The kidney regulates the amount and concentration of water content in the body.
Anatomy of the Urinary System
- The kidneys receive blood via the renal arteries.
- The kidneys hold about 25% of the body's blood at any time.
- Waste from the blood is filtered by the kidneys.
- Waste, known as urine, is sent from the kidneys to the bladder via ureters.
- Urine remains in the bladder until it is full.
- A message is sent to the brain signalling it is time to urinate.
- The urinary sphincter relaxes allowing the flow of urine to the urethra.
- The organs involved in the urinary system are kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra.
Anatomy of the Kidney
- The outer layer of the kidney is the cortex.
- The medulla is the inner layer of the kidney.
- The renal pelvis is a hollow tube that joins the kidney to the ureter.
- Functional units of the kidney are nephrons.
Anatomy of the Nephron
- The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney.
- Nephrons are supplied with blood by afferent arteries.
- Afferent arteries branch into capillary beds called glomeruli.
- The glomerulus has significantly higher pressure than regular capillaries.
- The glomerulus, inside the Bowman's capsule filters water and dissolved solutes from the blood.
- Filtrate enters the proximal tubule, the Loop of Henle, and the distal tubule.
- The distal tubule connects with the collecting duct.
Formation of Urine
- Urine formation involves three steps: filtration, reabsorption, and secretion.
- During filtration, fluid from the blood enters the Bowman's capsule.
- Reabsorption involves the recovery of essential substances (e.g., glucose, amino acids, salt) from the filtrate back into the blood.
- Secretion involves transporting substances from the blood directly into the filtrate.
1. Filtration
- Water, salt, glucose, amino acids, hydrogen ions and urea pass through the glomerulus and into the Bowman's capsule.
- Blood cells, platelets, and proteins remain in the blood due to their size.
2. Reabsorption
- Reabsorption takes place through both active and passive transport.
- Active transport involves energy consumption for pumping substances like sodium (Na+), Chloride (Cl-), and bicarbonate (HCO3-) into the blood.
- Passive transport involves the movement of water and other substances through concentration gradients.
- Glucose, and amino acids are reabsorbed from the filtrate back into the bloodstream.
- Most water reabsorption occurs in the Loop of Henle.
3. Secretion
- Certain substances are actively transported from the blood into the filtrate in the distal tubule.
- These secreted substances include potassium (K+), and hydrogen (H+).
Hormones That Affect Renal Function: ADH
- ADH, produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, acts on the collecting duct to increase water reabsorption.
- Higher ADH levels in the bloodstream lead to more water reabsorption and more concentrated urine.
- Osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus detect changes in osmotic pressure, triggering ADH release.
Diuretics
- Diuretics block the release of ADH.
- This results in increased urine production.
Hormones That Affect Renal Function: Aldosterone
- Aldosterone, released by the adrenal glands, affects the distal tubule and collecting duct.
- It increases the active transport of Na+ back into the blood.
- This causes water retention due to osmotic pressure and reduces urine production.
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Description
This quiz covers the processes of waste excretion, including the roles of the liver and kidneys in maintaining internal equilibrium. Topics include the conversion of toxins, the production of urea, and the importance of water balance. Test your understanding of these critical biological processes.
