Functions of the Kidney Flashcards
What are the primary functions of the kidney?
Filtration of blood, removal of waste products, regulation of electrolytes, blood pressure, and volume, acid-base balance, and hormone production.
How do the kidneys regulate blood volume and blood pressure?
By adjusting the volume of urine produced and releasing renin to regulate blood pressure.
What role do the kidneys play in electrolyte balance?
By reabsorbing and excreting ions such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphate.
How do the kidneys maintain acid-base balance in the body?
By excreting hydrogen ions and reabsorbing bicarbonate from urine.
Describe the process of glomerular filtration.
The process where blood is filtered in the glomerulus, allowing water and solutes to pass into the Bowman’s capsule.
What is the function of the renal tubules in urine formation?
The renal tubules reabsorb needed substances and secrete waste products into the urine.
How do the kidneys excrete metabolic waste products?
By filtering blood to remove urea, creatinine, and other waste products into the urine.
What is the role of the kidneys in water reabsorption?
By reabsorbing water from the filtrate back into the blood, primarily in the renal tubules and collecting ducts.
How does the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) affect kidney function?
RAAS regulates blood pressure and fluid balance by controlling sodium and water reabsorption and vascular tone.
What is the significance of erythropoietin produced by the kidneys?
Erythropoietin stimulates red blood cell production in response to hypoxia.
How do the kidneys contribute to calcium and phosphate balance?
By regulating the reabsorption and excretion of calcium and phosphate ions.
What is the role of the kidneys in vitamin D metabolism?
The kidneys convert vitamin D into its active form, calcitriol, which is essential for calcium absorption.
How do the kidneys handle glucose reabsorption?
Glucose is reabsorbed in the proximal convoluted tubule via sodium-glucose transport proteins.
What mechanisms are involved in sodium reabsorption in the kidneys?
Sodium reabsorption involves active transport mechanisms in the proximal tubule, loop of Henle, distal tubule, and collecting duct.
How do the kidneys regulate potassium levels?
By secreting or reabsorbing potassium in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct.
Describe the process of tubular secretion.
Tubular secretion involves the active transport of substances from the blood into the tubular fluid.
How do the kidneys remove drugs and toxins from the body?
By filtering the blood and secreting drugs and toxins into the urine for excretion.
What is the countercurrent multiplication system in the kidneys?
A mechanism that creates a concentration gradient in the medulla, allowing the kidneys to produce concentrated urine.
How does the kidney medulla contribute to urine concentration?
The medulla contains the loop of Henle and collecting ducts, which help concentrate urine by reabsorbing water.
What role do the kidneys play in protein conservation?
By filtering and reabsorbing proteins to prevent their loss in urine.
How do the kidneys respond to dehydration?
By conserving water through increased reabsorption in the collecting ducts, mediated by antidiuretic hormone (ADH).
What is the importance of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?
GFR measures the rate at which blood is filtered in the glomeruli, indicating kidney function.
How do the kidneys participate in blood detoxification?
By filtering and excreting toxins and metabolic waste products from the blood.
What is the function of the juxtaglomerular apparatus in the kidneys?
The juxtaglomerular apparatus regulates blood pressure and GFR through the release of renin.
