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

Identical chromatids bound, What is the structure that maintains identical ...

What is the structure that maintains identical chromatids bound? Ans) The structure that handles identical chromatids bound is the centromere.

Radiation cataract and steroid induced cataract of the eye, Explain the rad...

Explain the radiation cataract and steroid induced cataract of the eye. Radiation Cataract Exposure to radiation causes discoid posterior sub-capsular opacities. Mechanism o

Describes calcium metals, Which of the following terms best describes calci...

Which of the following terms best describes calcium metals? Check all that apply. Molecule, element, matter, and compound

Phylum Protozoa, Summary of the Phylum and protozoa and the important

Summary of the Phylum and protozoa and the important

Define the food processing, Define the Food Processing? We are all awar...

Define the Food Processing? We are all aware that delay in the use of fresh foods, alters its freshness, palatability and nutritive value. Therefore, it becomes very important

Define deficiency and toxicity of vitamin d, Define Deficiency and Toxicity...

Define Deficiency and Toxicity of Vitamin D? Infants constitute a population at-risk for vitamin D deficiency because of relatively large vitamin D needs brought about by their

Radial and biradial - metazoa, Radial and Biradial-Metazoa Radial sym...

Radial and Biradial-Metazoa Radial symmetry is the symmetry in which the parts are so arranged around a central axis or shaft, like the spokes of a wheel, that any vertical c

Explain the structural and functional changes in cancer , Identify and brie...

Identify and briefly explain the structural and functional changes that occur in the large bowel when colorectal cancer develops.

Define plan showing various steps of non-enzymatic browning, Define Plan sh...

Define Plan showing various steps of non-enzymatic browning? The plan showing the various steps of non-enzymatic browning is presented in figure Figure:

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