homeostasis vocab ib bio hl

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

this hormone increases the permeability of collecting ducts to promote water reabsorption and produce concentrated urine.

Bowman’s capsule

this cup-shaped structure at the start of the nephron collects the initial filtrate from the glomerulus.

Collecting tubule

this is the final segment of the kidney's duct system where water reabsorption is adjusted before filtrate becomes urine.

Dialysis

this medical procedure uses a machine to artificially filter waste and excess fluid from the blood when kidneys are failing.

Distal convoluted tubule

this portion of the nephron performs the final fine-tuning of ion and water balance under hormonal control.

Excretion

this is the biological process of removing metabolic wastes and toxic substances from the body.

Filtrate

this fluid is the liquid portion of blood that has been filtered into the nephron to be processed into urine.

Glomerulus

this network of high-pressure capillaries serves as the primary site for blood filtration within the kidney.

Glucagon

this pancreatic hormone raises blood sugar levels by triggering the liver to release stored glucose.

Homeostasis

this is the process by which an organism maintains a stable and constant internal environment.

Insulin

this pancreatic hormone lowers blood sugar levels by helping cells absorb glucose for energy or storage.

Kidney

this bean-shaped organ filters blood to remove waste and regulates the body's fluid and electrolyte balance.

Loop of Henle

this U-shaped part of the nephron creates the concentration gradient in the medulla necessary for water conservation.

Nephron

this is the microscopic functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood and forming urine.

Osmoregulation

this process involves the active regulation of the body's water and salt concentrations to maintain osmotic pressure.

Proximal convoluted tubule

this first section of the renal tubule is where the majority of water

Renal cortex

this is the outer layer of the kidney that contains the glomeruli and convoluted tubules of the nephrons.

Renal medulla

this inner region of the kidney contains the renal pyramids

Thermoregulation

this homeostatic mechanism allows the body to maintain its core internal temperature within a safe range.

Type I diabetes

this autoimmune condition occurs when the pancreas produces little to no insulin

Type II diabetes

this metabolic disorder is characterized by the body’s resistance to insulin or an inability to produce enough of it.

Urinalysis

this diagnostic test analyzes the physical and chemical properties of urine to check for health conditions or diseases.