L26- kidney structure and filtration

what are the functions of the kidney

• regulation of water, salts, and acid base balance 

• the removal of metabolic waste and foreign chemicals 

• production of hormones and enzymes 

• gluconeogenesis ( formation of glucose ) 

what are the structures in the kidney 

explain why its crucial that the kidney has an extensive blood capillary network 

• as it need to filter blood and also

• it needs to be able to reabsorb needed substances back into the body 

• this make the kidney efficient 

what are the key function of the nephron

• glomerular filtration - blood → nephron

• tubular secretion- blood → tubules

• tubular reabsorption - tubules→ blood

what are the key features of the glomerulus which allow it to carry out its function of filtration 

• high surface area of blood vessel to glomerulus for filtration to happen 

•  the endothelial cells that make up the blood vessel are fenestrated- this allows substances to pass through 

• the podocyte cells which contains pedicles projections  on the glomerulus and wraps its self around the blood vessel - small molecules like water, salts  urea amino acids and small drug can pass through 

• sieve like structure is created 

what is the GFR

• its the glomerular filtration rate

• its the volume of fluid filtered from the glomerulus into the bowman’s space per unit time

• it controls the water and salt balance

what regulates the GFR

• by adjusting the blood pressure either side of the glomerulus

• in order to increase the GFR the afferent blood vessel needs to be dilated- allowing high blood pressure flow and the efferent needs to be constricted

• this increases/ decreases water and salt loss through excretion