The Kidneys

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  • Created by: Eleanor
  • Created on: 05-04-10 19:15

The kidneys are one of the main organs which help in maintaining homeostatis (keeping the conditions inside the body the same).

The kidneys filter the blood and make sure the levels of certain substances (e.g. urea, excess ions) do not build up in the body.

Urea- made by the liver from the breakdown of excess ammino acids (proteins). Urea is poisonous and so has to be removed from the body. It leaves the body in the form of urine.

Water- if the water concentration in your body changes too drastically, then water will enter or leave the cells through osmosis (a passive method of tranport), damaging them.The kidneys ensure excess water is lost through urine. If there is not enough water in the body, urine is very concentrated.

The kidneys are made up of:

  • Renal Vein (takes blood away from the kidney)
  • Renal Artery

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