The kidneys Flashcards
When amino acids are broken down by the liver, what is produced?
Amino acid -> ammonia (toxic) -> urea
What is the name for the process where amino acids are converted into ammonia?
Deamination
Where in the body are amino acids converted into ammonia?
The liver
Why is ammonia converted straight into urea?
Because its toxic
Name 2 uncontrolled ways the body looses water
-Via the lungs when we exhale
-When we sweat
Name a controlled way that the body looses water
Via the kidneys in urine
How do the kidneys produce urine?
By filtration
Describe the filtration of the blood
-Blood containing urea enters the kidney through an artery
-Kidney removes urea as well as excess ions and water
-These leave the kidney as urine and is stored in the bladder
Describe selective reabsorption
When blood passes through a tubule all the glucose, some ions and some water are reabsorbed back into the blood
What is the name of the blood vessel going into and out of the kidney?
In: Renal ARTERY
Out: Renal VEIN
Why is protein not filtered out of the blood by the nephron
Too Big
What type of transport is used for glucose/mineral ions to be reabsorbed from the kidney tubules into the blood?
Active transport
What type of transport is used for water to be reabsorbed from the kidney tubules into the blood?
Osmosis
What happens when there is a low water concentration in the blood?
-Pituitary gland releases a lot of ADH
- ADH increases the permability of tubules
- More water is reabsorbed from the blood
- Less urine is produced
What happens when theres a high water concentration in the blood?
-Pituitary gland releases little ADH
- ADH decreases the permeability of tubules
- Less water is reabsorbed from the blood
- More urine is produced
What is Kidney failure?
When blood contains higher concentration of water, ions and urea
Name 2 treatments for Kidney failure
Dialysis and Transplant
Describe Kidney dialysis
-Patients blood passes through a semi- permeable membrane which allows urea, water and ions through but not proteins and blood cells
-On the other side of the membrane is dialysis fluid
-Dialysis fluid contains normal concentrations if water and ions but no urea
-Urea diffuses from blood into dialysis fluid
-Some water and ions diffuse from blood into dialysis fluid
State the disadvantages of Kidney Dialysis
-Patients have to visit hospital several times a week
-Have to eat a controlled diet so they dont produce too much urea
State the Disadvantage of a Kidney Transplant
-May be rejected by patients immune system
-Shortage
-Have to take anti-rejection drugs for the rest of your life
State the advantages of a Kidney Transplant
-Allows patients to lead a normal life
-Only expensive intitally
Which hormone controls the water level in the body?
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Where is the hormone that controls the water level in the body released from?
Pituitary gland
