The Kidneys and Homeostasis

?
  • Created by: Sophie
  • Created on: 27-04-13 11:07
View mindmap
  • The Kidneys and Homeostasis
    • Kidneys filter the blood
      • Remove urea from blood
      • Regulate ion content of blood
      • Regulate water content of blood
    • Removal of urea
      • Proteins can't be stored by the body, so excess amino acids are turned into fats or catbohydrates which can be stored
        • This happens in the liver. Urea is a waste product from these reactions
      • Poisonous. Released into bloodstream by liver, then kidneys filter it out of blood; it is excreted as urine
    • Adjustment of ion content
      • Ions taken in by food, absorbed into blood
      • If ion/water content is wrong then there could be an imbalance of ions and water, meaning too much or too little water could be drawn into cells via osmosis, damaging them
      • Excess ions removed by kidneys, e.g sodium
      • Ions also lost in sweat
      • Balance maintained by kidneys
    • Adjustment of water content
      • Water taken in from food and drink, removed from urine, sweat and in the air as we breather out
      • Constant balance between water out and water in: balanced between liquids consumed, amount sweated out, amount excreted by the kidneys in urine
      • On a cold day, you don't sweat so will produce more urine which will be pale and dilute
      • On a hot day you sweat a lot so will produce less urine that is concentrated and dark- coloured
      • Balanced needs to be restored
    • Sports Drinks
      • Usually contains sugar, water, ions
      • Water and ions replace those lost in sweat
      • Sugar replaces the sugar that's used up by muscles during respiration
      • Some manufacturers claim their products rehydrate faster or improve endurance.

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Biology resources:

See all Biology resources »See all Homeostasis resources »