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

Deficiency diseases-sporadic exertional rhabdomyolysis, Sporadic exertiona...

Sporadic exertional  rhabdomyolysis (azoturia, tying up in horses) Azoturia is a metabolic condition of horses that is characterized by reluctance to move and poor performance.

What are instances of a carnivorous, Q What are instances of a carnivorous ...

Q What are instances of a carnivorous and an herbivorous reptile? Iguanas are herbivorous, Snakes are carnivorous. Q. Do beings of the class Reptilia perform gas exchange i

What are the main components of the cytoskeleton, The cytoskeleton is a net...

The cytoskeleton is a network of very little tubules and filaments spread throughout the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. It is made of microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate

Name five kingdoms into which living beings are divided, What are the five ...

What are the five kingdoms into which living beings are divided? Which group of living being is out of this classification? The five kingdoms of living beings are the kingdom M

Explain interactions of macrominerals with other nutrients, Explain Interac...

Explain Interactions of Macrominerals With Other Nutrients? Various nutrients interact with minerals thereby affecting their bioavailability. These interactions occur at differ

Taxonomy, . Explain why the traditional classification of unicellular euka...

. Explain why the traditional classification of unicellular eukaryotes as ‘protozoa’ or ‘protists’ is invalid in terms of modern systematics and evolutionary theory. Why are trad

Calculate the frequencies of heterozygotes, If dimples may be considered a ...

If dimples may be considered a single-gene dominant trait, and 64% of the population features dimples, calculate the frequencies of heterozygotes and both types of homozygotes, ass

Why food which can be taken in plenty, Food Which can be Taken in Plenty an...

Food Which can be Taken in Plenty and Food to be Avoided Lastly, in the context of changing the diet, we should know the foods to be avoided and the food to be taken in plenty

Biological responses controlled by phytochrome, Biological Responses Contro...

Biological Responses Controlled by Phytochrome Phytochrome responses are those which are controlled reversibly by red and far-red light. These can be broadly categorised as:

Explain the life cycle of water, Explain the life cycle of Water? The ...

Explain the life cycle of Water? The water cycle , or hydrologic cycle, is one of the most important processes to living organisms on Earth. Consider the following facts:

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