The Kidney is Crucial In Osmoregulation and Excretion
- The kidney filters out about 20% of water and solutes from blood plasma before selectively absorbing substances the body requires.
- This makes it an organ crucial in both osmoregulation and excretion for the body to maintain homeostasis.
Osmoregulation prevents osmotic imbalances, while excretion eliminates harmful substances.
Osmoregulation Is How The Kidney Maintains Balance
Definition
Osmoregulation
Osmoregulation is the process of maintaining the balance of water and solutes in the body.
- Osmoregulation ensures the osmotic concentration of blood remains stable, around 300 milliosmoles per litre (mOsm/L).
- The kidney achieves this by adjusting urine concentration.
How does the structure of the nephron reflect evolutionary adaptations in desert animals?
Excretion Removes Metabolic Waste
Definition
Excretion
Excretion is the removal of metabolic waste products.
Urea and Other Waste Products
- Urea is a nitrogenous waste product formed from the breakdown of amino acids in the liver.
- Urea, along with excess ions, drugs, and pigments, is filtered out in the glomerulus and excreted in urine.
Urochrome, a pigment from hemoglobin breakdown, gives urine its yellow color.
The Kidney Filters Blood and Maintains Homeostasis
- The kidney filters blood, reabsorbs essential substances, and removes waste.
- Its functional unit is the nephron, which consists of several specialized parts:
