Explain the kidney function in human biology, Biology

Assignment Help:

Explain the Kidney Function in human biology?

Blood first enters the capillaries in Bowman's capsule where it is filtered. The pores in the capillary walls allow water and small molecules to pass through, but are too small to allow red blood cells and large protein molecules to pass. The process by which material is filtered into Bowman's capsule is not very selective, and some of these substances that are of value to the body need to be reclaimed. Material filtered through the capillary walls into Bowman's capsule flows along the renal tubules. The process by which material is returned to the blood through the walls of the tubules is called tubular reabsorption.

Sodium, potassium, calcium, other minerals, and glucose are returned by active transport. These substances then enter the capillaries by diffusion. Water is returned by osmosis mostly in the proximal convoluted tubule, following the movement of glucose. There is additional reabsorption of salts and nutrients from the distal convoluted tubule, but this section of tubule also removes wastes and other substances not originally filtered out by Bowman's capsule through a process called tubular secretion. The pH of the blood is adjusted by the secretion of hydrogen ions into the filtrate. Potassium ions, ammonia, and certain drugs are eliminated by secretion from the distal convoluted tubules.

The loops of Henle function to concentrate the filtrate by establishing an osmotic gradient in the extracellular fluid around the loops that will later pull water from the collecting ducts. The ascending limb of the loop pumps NaCl out by active transport, but the ions cannot diffuse back in because this portion of the loop is impermeable to water. Salts can diffuse into the descending limb, but these are pumped out again when they reach the ascending loop, increasing the extracellular ionic concentration. When the filtrate reaches the collecting ducts, its osmotic concentration is much lower than the extracellular fluid of the medulla, so it loses water by osmosis and becomes more concentrated. As much as 99% of the water that goes through the tubules and collecting ducts is returned to the blood.

 


Related Discussions:- Explain the kidney function in human biology

Explain the interaction of vitamin a with iron, Explain the interaction of ...

Explain the interaction of vitamin A with Iron? Iron: Iron status of an individual correlates with vitamin A. The deficiency of  vitamin A has been found to be associated with

What is the root pressure, What is the root pressure? The Root pressure...

What is the root pressure? The Root pressure is the pressure that forces water from the soil to be absorbed by xylem of the root. It is because of the osmotic gradient between

Define gastrointestinal tract - excretion of zinc in humans, Define Gastroi...

Define Gastrointestinal tract - Excretion of Zinc in Humans? Majority of zinc is lost from the body in faeces. Endogenous zinc in the form of enzymes or metallo-proteins is sec

What type of compound is the metabolic waste of porifera, What type of comp...

What type of compound is the major metabolic waste of Porifera? Why is it important for the organism to get rid of this compound?

List in sequential order the organelles, Starting from a ribosome in the cy...

Starting from a ribosome in the cytosol, list in sequential order the organelles and cellular components a secreted protein would encounter from translation to secretion.

Man-made disasters- nuclear disasters, Among all the environmental disaster...

Among all the environmental disasters that might be caused by humans, nuclear disasters have the greatest potential of causing severe damage to life property. The released as a con

Thalopyta, cherector and economic imoprtance of fungi snd algae

cherector and economic imoprtance of fungi snd algae

Cultural and religious values, Wildlife has influenced language, art, relig...

Wildlife has influenced language, art, religion and social customs of many societies worldwide, and wild animals figure prominently in many cultures even today. In all cultures of

Correct regarding a buffer, Select all that are true or correct regarding a...

Select all that are true or correct regarding a buffer: alternately donating and accepting ions a set of chemicals that work together to resist pH change often a weak acid or base

Define hocm murmur characteristics in details, Define HOCM Murmur character...

Define HOCM Murmur characteristics in details? Characteristics: The murmur is harsh, crescendo-decrescendo audible along the left sternal border, radiates to the base of heart

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd