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

Australopithecines, The first ever australopithecine fossil was found in 19...

The first ever australopithecine fossil was found in 1924 at Taung, South Africa. It was the skull of a 6 year old child showing a mixture of human and ape like features. This a

Why is cartilage more flexible than bone, Why is the cartilage more flexibl...

Why is the cartilage more flexible than bone? in general, why does cartilage take longer to repair than bone?

What vector foce does particle b then exert on a, A charged particle A exer...

A charged particle A exerts a force of 2.39uN to the right on charged particle B when the particles are 12.3 mm apart. Particle B moves straight away from A to make the distance be

Digestive system - alimentary canal, ALIMEN T A R Y CANAL Endoderma...

ALIMEN T A R Y CANAL Endodermal in origin. Long, 6-9 metres. In herbivorous more long than carnivorous.

Reverse osmosis, Ordinary osmosis cannot be used to purify water. If the ap...

Ordinary osmosis cannot be used to purify water. If the applied pressure exceeds osmotic pressure then water starts moving from solution side to pure solvent side. This is reverse

Define dietary management for burns, Define Dietary Management for Burns? ...

Define Dietary Management for Burns? Nutritional support is a major part of therapy for a patient with burns in view of the large catabolic losses, essential anabolic demands a

Woodland stage - hydrarch, Woodland Stage - Hydrarch When the lowland ...

Woodland Stage - Hydrarch When the lowland has been built up to an extent where the soil is saturated perhaps only in spring and early summer, certain species of shrubs and tr

Explain the indications for neuropsychological screening, Explain the Indic...

Explain the Indications for neuropsychological screening Nature of referral question warrants it. Situational explanation for changes in emotions or cognitive functioni

Morphological changes - floral induction, Morphological Changes - Floral In...

Morphological Changes - Floral Induction Some of the morphological changes that accompany floral induction are: Change in the shape of meristem, Increase in the ra

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