Kidney Flashcards
Explain how the kidney helps to regulate the water levels of the body.
- Blood waste level are sensed by the hypothalamus in the brain.
- What water levels are too low, the hypothalamus gets the pituitary gland to release the hormone ADH into the bloodstream.
- Cells in the collecting duct of nephrons of kidney have receptors for ADH. ADH makes collecting duct become more permeable to water. Water is drawn out of the collecting duct and the loop of henle, which re-absorbs the water by osmosis back into the blood. Water levels return to normal. When water levels are too high the pituitary releases less ADH, so less/no water reabsorbed into the blood
The kidneys play a role in the excretion of waste products of the body.
Name the waste product which is excreted by the kidneys.
Urea
Identify which part of the kidney nephron performs each of the functions.
- Carries out ultrafiltration of the blood
- Establishes a salt gradient to draw water out of filtrate
- Selective reabsorption occurs
- Transfers urine to the renal pelvis
Carries out ultrafiltration of the blood
- Glomerlus
Establishes a salt gradient to draw water out of filtrate
-Loop of henle
Selective reabsorption occurs
-Convoluted tubule
Transfers urine to the renal pelvis
-Collecting duct
Name one process that occurs in a kidney nephron and the part of the nephron involves in this process.
Process: Ultrafiltration
Part of nephron involved: Bowmans Capsule, glomerus.
Process: Reabsorption
Part of nephron involved: Proximal tubule, Convoluted tubule
Process: Osmoregulation
Part of nephron involved: Loop of henle, collecting duct
Identify two functions of the kidney.
- Removal of urea
- Regulation of water levels/ Osmoregulation
- Ultrafiltration (filters blood)
- Reabsorption
- Salt regulation
- Urine production
Describe how the kidney carries out its functions
- Blood in renal artery enters glomerulus
- Blood at very high pressure so plasma is forced out (ultrafiltration)
- Small molecules (urea, glucose, amino acids, vitamins, mineral salts) removed with much of the water
- Blood cells and proteins remain in blood as too large (if kidney working properly)
- Along proximal tubule most of the water, all glucose, amino acids, vitamins and most mineral salts move back into blood vessels running alongside (resorption)
Molly and Pamela are sisters and both have been diagnosed with digestive malfunctions. Molly has gallstones and Pamela has IBS.
Identify two possible causes of Molly’s gallstones.
- Imbalance of cholesterol and/or bilirubin - crystals from bile in ducts
- More likely if you are: female, over 40, obese, family history, suffer from liver disease, alcohol, lack of exercise.
Evaluate possible treatments for gallstones
- reduce fat intake
- Lithotripsy
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
- Single incision keyhole surgery
- Open surgery
- ERCP
Whilst undergoing routine blood tests as part of monitoring Armit’s cardiac health it was found that his blood sugar levels were high enough to classify him as having diabetes.
Explain how the regulation of blood glucose levels is an example of homeostasis
Homeostasis- balancing the internal environment/ maintaining a steady stake, deviations from it must be detected, system that can correct deviation can return valves to normal.
Rise in glucose levels detected by pancreas promotes the uptake of glucose from blood by liver and muscle cells, Blood sugar levels decrease.
Drop in glucose levels detected by pancreas. Promotes breakdown of glycogon in liver and muscles to form glucose.
Homeostasis regulates the conditions inside our body such as body temperature, blood sugar, water content etc.
Describe how the negative feedback mechanism work in the body.
Body temperature: Hypothalamus senses temperature changes, Vasodilation when hot brings more blood close to surface of skin, Sweat glands release sweat- evaporation cools blood, Vasoconstriction when cold- keeps blood away from body surface to reduce heat loss, Hairs raised to trap air close to skin surface.
Blood sugar: Glucose levels monitored and controlled by cells in islets of Langerhans in pancreas, After a meal blood glucose level rises and is detected, Cells release insulin, This enables cells to take up glucose cells in liver and muscles change glucose levels to glycogen, Blood glucose level falls, Detected by cells, Insulin production stops, Blood glucose levels drop due to metabolic activity/ exercise, Cells detect this, release glucagon, causes glycogen to be turned back into glucose, released into blood stream, blood glucose levels rise, detected, glucagon release stops.
Water content: Pituitary gland produces ADH- affects permeability of nephron to water, if blood water concentration falls- ADH production increases, More water returned to blood, Balance restored, Less water returned to blood.
Identify two possible effects of gallstones.
Abdominal pain
Nausea
