urinary systems Flashcards
(34 cards)
What is excretion?
The process of removing metabolic waste from the body.
What is the difference between excretion and elimination?
Excretion removes metabolic waste, elimination removes undigested food.
Name the organs of the urinary system.
Kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra.
What is the function of the kidneys?
Filter blood, remove waste, regulate fluid and electrolytes.
What is the function of the ureters?
Transport urine from kidneys to bladder.
What is the function of the bladder?
Stores urine.
What is the function of the urethra?
Carries urine from bladder to outside the body.
What is a nephron?
The structural and functional unit of the kidney.
Name the two types of nephrons.
Cortical and juxtamedullary.
What is the role of the glomerulus?
Filters blood.
Where does reabsorption mainly occur?
Proximal convoluted tubule.
What is the function of the Loop of Henle?
Creates concentration gradient in medulla.
What is the function of the collecting duct?
Concentrates urine; responds to ADH.
Trace the blood flow through the nephron.
Renal artery → afferent arteriole → glomerulus → efferent arteriole → peritubular capillaries/vasa recta → renal vein.
What are the three processes of urine formation?
Glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption, tubular secretion.
What is glomerular filtration?
The movement of substances from blood into Bowman’s capsule.
What is tubular reabsorption?
The movement of substances from the tubule back into the blood.
What is tubular secretion?
The movement of substances from the blood into the tubule.
What does ADH do?
Increases water reabsorption in the collecting ducts.
What does aldosterone do?
Increases Na+ reabsorption and K+ excretion.
What triggers renin release?
Low blood pressure or blood volume.
What does ADH do?
Reduces Na+ reabsorption, increasing urine output.
What hormone stimulates red blood cell production?
Erythropoietin.
Which hormone helps activate Vitamin D?
Calcitriol.
