A Level Biology Revision (Year 13) "The Structure of the Kidneys and the Nephron"

Freesciencelessons2 minutes read

The kidneys filter waste molecules like Ura from the blood using nephrons, which consist of the glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, and tubules. This process regulates water concentration in the blood and reabsorbs essential molecules like glucose back into the bloodstream through selective reabsorption.

Insights

  • The kidneys function by filtering waste molecules like Ura from the blood through around 1.5 million nephrons, which are microscopic structures responsible for regulating water concentration and filtering blood. Blood enters via the renal artery and exits through the renal vein, with Ura being excreted as urine.
  • The nephron, the kidneys' functional unit, comprises the glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, and tubule sections like the proximal convoluted tubule and Loop of Henle. It filters small molecules into the Bowman's capsule through ultrafiltration and reabsorbs essential substances like glucose back into the blood via selective reabsorption, while osmoregulation occurs in the Loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, and collecting duct to regulate water concentration in the blood.

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Recent questions

  • What is the role of the kidneys?

    Filtration of waste molecules and urine production.

  • What are nephrons?

    Microscopic structures in the kidneys for blood filtration.

  • How does ultrafiltration occur in the kidneys?

    Small molecules filtered from blood into Bowman's capsule.

  • What is osmoregulation in the kidneys?

    Regulation of water concentration in the blood.

  • What are the main components of a nephron?

    Glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, and tubule sections.

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Summary

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Kidneys: Essential for Waste Removal and Osmoregulation

  • The kidneys play a crucial role in removing waste molecules like Ura from the blood, which is produced by the liver when metabolizing excess amino acids. Blood enters the kidneys via the renal artery and leaves through the renal vein, with Ura being filtered out and excreted as urine. Each kidney contains around 1.5 million nephrons, which are microscopic structures responsible for filtering blood and regulating water concentration.
  • The nephron, the functional unit of the kidneys, consists of the glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, and a tubule with various sections like the proximal convoluted tubule, Loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, and collecting duct. The glomerulus filters small molecules from the blood into the Bowman's capsule through ultrafiltration, while the tubule reabsorbs useful molecules like glucose back into the blood through selective reabsorption.
  • The kidneys are structured into the cortex, medulla, and pelvis, with ultrafiltration occurring in the cortex, loops of Henle and collecting ducts in the medulla, and the urea passing through the pelvis. Osmoregulation, regulating water concentration in the blood, is carried out by the Loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, and collecting duct through processes like reabsorption by osmosis.
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