Excretion in Humans Flashcards
Assimilation
The movement of simple food molecules into the cells of the body where they are used
Cortex
The outer region of the kidney
Deamination
The removal of the amino group from a molecule. In the liver, amino acids are deaminated to form ammonia, which is then converted to Urea.
Glomerulus
A bundle of capillaries located in the renal capsule of a nephron adapted for the filtration of glucose, urea, water and salts from the body.
Kidney
One of a pair of organs located at the back of the abdomen that has a role in the excretion of urea and excess water and salts
Liver
The organ in which digested food molecules are assimilated. It is also involved in deamination
Medulla
The inner region of the kidney
Nephron
The functional unit of the kidney consisting of a single glomerulus with a renal capsule, renal tubule and capillaries
Renal arteries
Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood to the kidneys
Renal tubule
The coiled region of the nephron which joins to a collecting duct. All glucose, most water and some salts are reabsorbed into the blood in the renal tubule.
Renal veins
Blood vessels that drain the kidneys
Urea
A toxic chemical produced from the breakdown of excess amino acids in the liver
Ureter
A tube that takes urine to the bladder from the kidneys
Urethra
A tube that releases urine from the bladder, out of the body
Urine
The waste product of the kidneys that contains urea, excess water and excess ions. The volume and concentration of urine depends on water intake, exersice and temperature
Why is urea formed?
Urea is formed in the liver as a result of excess amino acids, that cannot be stored in the body.
What are the five excess salt/ ions that need to be removed from the blood?
Na+, Cl-, Mg2+, Ca2+, HCO3-
