Renal System Flashcards
Why do we need the kidneys?
Kidneys control what is in the blood and how much blood we have
What is the kidneys main function?
To filter blood
What is filtration?
When substances (e.g. glucose and water) moves from the blood through the sieve and into the nephron tube
What is reabsorption?
Movement of useful substances (e.g. glucose and water) out of the nephron tubule back into the blood.
What is secretion?
Removal of waste products from the blood into the nephron tubule and end up in the urine
Describe the two pathways that substances use to cross an epithelium.
Passive & Active transport
How do the kidneys filter blood?
Each of your kidneys is made up of about a million filtering units called nephrons. Each nephron includes a filter, called the glomerulus, and a tubule. The nephrons work through a two-step process: the glomerulus filters your blood, and the tubule returns needed substances to your blood and removes wastes.
How much blood does the kidney filter a day?
125ml per minute
What is renal clearance ?
The amount of blood plasma that is completely cleared of a substance per minute
Main function of the proximal tubule
Bulk reabsorption (where most of the reabsorption occurs)
What are the main functions of the distal tubule?
fine tuning of ions and water reabsorption
What is a buffer?
A buffer is a substance that minimises change in blood pH, when hydrogen concentration is altered
How does a buffer work?
When hydrogen ion concentration increases in the blood HCO3 binds to hydrogen ions molecules
What is Acid ?
A molecule that can release a hydrogen ion
What is a base?
A molecule that can accept a hydrogen ion from an acid
