kidneys

Question 1

how many kidneys do we have & where are they located?

Answer 1

2 that are beneath our digestive system at the base of our back

Question 2

what is each kidney connected to and where is the blood supplied to?

Answer 2

each kidney is connected to the aorta by the renal artery, which supplies blood to the working units called the kidney nephron.

Question 3

after the blood is transported to the kidney nephron what happens to the blood?

Answer 3

it’s returned to the body via the renal vein, which drains into the inferior vena cava.

Question 4

what is the name of the outside and inside of the kidneys and what do they do?

Answer 4

outer cortex above the inner medulla. in the centre of the kidney is a fibrous white region called the calyx. which collects urine from the nephrons and passes it onto the ureters.

Question 5

what does the ureter do and what does the bladder do??

Answer 5

the ureter are two tubes which drain urine from each kidney to the bladder below. the bladder stores urine produced by the kidneys. urine is passed through the urethra.

Question 6

what happens in the glomerulus?

Answer 6

blood vessels get narrow, increases blood pressure, plasma and dissolved substances are forced through capillarie walls into bowman’s capsule.

Question 7

what stage takes place in the glomerulus, what takes place?

Answer 7

ultrafiltration, this removes waste, nutrients and water which leaves blood and protein behind.

Question 8

what does the bowman’s capsule do?

Answer 8

collects filtrate

Question 9

what is reabsorbed in the proximal convoluted tubule?

Answer 9

some of the filtrate is taken back at various points.
glucose, amino acids and salts are taken back.

Question 10

what is the stage in the proximal convoluted tubule?

Answer 10

selective reabsorption.

Question 11

what is reabsorbed in the loop of Henle?

Answer 11

it’s where any water from the filtrate is reabsorbed.

Question 12

what is the stage at the loop of Henle?

Answer 12

selective reabsorption.

Question 13

what is reabsorbed in the distal convoluted tubule?

Answer 13

it’s where mineral salts are put back in the filtrate.

Question 14

what stage is the distal convoluted tubule?

Answer 14

selective reabsorption.

Question 15

what is collected in the collecting duct?

Answer 15

where excess water and minerals salts from urine to pass into the calyx and then ureter.

Question 16

what is the stage during the collecting duct?

Answer 16

selective reabsorption.

Question 17

what are the 2 main functions carried out by the kidney nephrons?

Answer 17

1. removal of urea
2. regulation of water levels (osmoregulation).

Question 18

what is the process of removal of urea?

Answer 18

1. it’s produced during the break down of amino acids.
   a) Digested proteins > broken down into amino acids
   b) Excess amino acids cannot be stored >
   c) Process in Liver strips nitrogen off (de-amination) >
   d) Forms toxic ammonia >
   e) Liver converts to less toxic urea >
   f) Urea passes into blood >
   g) Glomerulus and Bowman’s Capsule in kidney nephron acts as filter (ultrafiltration)
   h) Kidney removes urea from blood
   i) Excreted in urine

Question 19

what is the process of the regulation of body water levels, when the levels are too low?

Answer 19

Water levels in blood are sensed by hypothalamus (in brain)
1. hypothalamus triggers pituitary gland to release ADH into blood
2. Kidney nephrons collecting ducts  receptors for ADH
3. ADH effect tubule walls allow more water through
4. Water is drawn out of the Loop of Henlé & collecting duct
5. Goes back into the blood (by osmosis )
6. Water levels return to normal  urine concentrated

Question 20

what is the process of the regulation of body water levels, when the levels are too high?

Answer 20

1. pituitary gland reduces/stops ADH release
2. Less water reabsorbed into blood  Urine dilute / large quantities

Question 21

what are the symptoms of nephrotic syndrome?

Answer 21

1. swelling (oedema) of body tissues
2. high levels of urine passed
3. increased risk of infection (antibodies lost in urine)
4. increased risk of blood clots (clotting proteins based in urine)

Question 22

what is the biological explanation of nephrotic syndrome?

Answer 22

too much protein is leaked from the blood (proteinuria) into the urine.

Question 23

what causes nephrotic syndrome?

Answer 23

1. kidney damage (due to other conditions)
2. congenital nephrotic syndrome results from an inherited faulty gene.

Question 24

what are the care options and treatment for someone with nephrotic syndrome?

Answer 24

1. Urine tested daily with dipstick kit for relapses.​
2. No salt in diet prevents water retention.​
3. Vaccinations to prevent infections.​
4. Steroids – reduce immune response inflammation. ​
5. Diuretics – reduce water retention due to leakage of fluid tissue into body tissues (oedema). ​
   ​6. Kidney transplant – must have matching donor available, use of anti-rejection drugs and dialysis until transplant.​

Question 25

how should you monitor nephrotic syndrome?

Answer 25

1. blood testing or daily urine tests required
2. kidney biopsy may be required to access damage.