Kidneys - Systems Functions

Question 1

These functions are _______ kidney functions, since the ureters, bladder and urethra are essentially conduits for ______. The urinary bladder is a muscular organ with “________” capability.

Answer 1

Primarily
Urine
Pushing

Question 2

1. Filtering of Blood / Secretion of Wastes

Potentially dangerous substances must be eliminated from the ________, e.g., ammonia, urea (from amino acid breakdown), bilirubin (from hemoglobin breakdown), uric acid (from nucleic acid breakdown) and any other metabolite that could be damaging or toxic, e.g., from drug metabolism, etc. This role is shared with the ______, ______ & the _______.

Answer 2

bloodstream
liver, lungs and skin

Question 3

2. Regulation of Ions in the Blood

Especially sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride and bicarbonate [N.B. NaCl = sodium chloride, which is the most common salt.] These ions are necessary for multiple ______ functions—it can be problematic if their concentrations are too_____ or too low, so variable reabsorption or retention is needed based on the requirements at the time.

Answer 3

normal
high

Question 4

3. Regulation of Blood pH

Generally, via secreting hydrogen ions, which promote _____ formation, and retaining _____ ions and phosphates, which act as acid ______ , according to requirements of the body at the time to maintain a strictly controlled _____ (acid-base balance).

Answer 4

acid
bicarbonate
buffers
pH

Question 5

4. Participation in Blood Glucose Regulation

While the kidneys are not ______ in this function, like the ______ they can engage in
gluconeogenesis—producing ______ from amino acids in low blood sugar conditions.

Answer 5

primary
liver
glucose

Question 6

5. Regulation of Blood Volume (+ Urine Concentration) and Blood Pressure

• selective secretion/retention of _____ and solutes (especially sodium)
• adjusting ______ flow in and out of the kidneys, and smoothly accommodating the blood cycle (typically, 20-25% of the resting cardiac output flows through the kidneys at any given time)
• release of the enzyme ______ to activate the renin-angiotensin response (homeostatic reaction to drops in blood pressure)

Answer 6

water
blood
renin

Question 7

6. Regulation of Blood Osmolality (Osmotic Draw)

• regulation of water and solutes remaining in the _____ and leaving in the _____
• preventing loss of plasma proteins, as well as cells and platelets from the _____

Answer 7

blood and urine
blood

Question 8

7. Hormone Production

________ : active form of Vitamin D (bone health, immune regulation, mood regulation)
_________ : stimulate red blood cell production

Answer 8

Calcitriol
Erythropoietin