blood pressure, pH, and water balance

adrenal glands

two glands atop kidneys. outer portion (adrenal cortex) produces a hormone called aldosterone, key to maintaining blood pressure

adrenal cortex

outer portion of adrenal glands

aldosterone

created from adrenal cortex, maintains blood pressure

adjusting blood pressure

when aldosterone is released, it moves to the nephron and causes it to increase Na+ reabsorption. water follows the sodium, and blood volume is increased

optimal blood pH

7.3-7.4

alkalosis

occurs if blood pH is too high (basic).
H2CO3 ← → H+ + HCO3-
shifts to the right = release H+ ions into blood, making blood pH more acidic

acidosis

occurs if blood pH is too low (acidic)
H2CO3 → ← H+ + HCO3-
Shift to the left = absorb H+ ions into nephron, making blood pH more basic

adjusting blood pH

uses alkalosis and acidosis to adjust pH to optimal range. found in proximal and distal tubules of nephrons

ADH (antidiuretic hormone)

hormone that adjusts water balance, made in pituitary gland of the brain

osmoreceptors

special receptors in your brain that detect the level of water in blood

adjusting water balance

ADH (antidiuretic hormone) travels to kidney, causing organ to increase water reabsorption, using osmoreceptors to decide when there is too much or too little water in the blood