CH 16 Urinary System

What is the physiological process of removing metabolic wastes from the body?

Excretion.

What are the primary organs of the urinary system?

Kidneys.

What is urea and how is it formed?

A nitrogenous waste product formed from the metabolism of amino acids, synthesized in the liver from ammonia.

What waste product is generated from the breakdown of creatine phosphate?

Creatinine.

What can excess uric acid lead to?

Gout, characterized by joint inflammation.

What gives urine its characteristic yellow color?

Urochrome.

How do the kidneys regulate the body’s hydration status?

By adjusting the concentration of sodium (NaCl) in the blood.

What enzyme do kidneys produce to help maintain blood pressure?

Renin.

What is the role of erythropoietin (EPO)?

Stimulates increased production of red blood cells in bone marrow when oxygen levels are low.

What are the three primary regions of the kidneys?

Renal Cortex, Renal Medulla, Renal Pelvis.

What is the role of nephrons in the kidneys?

They are the functional units that perform filtering and excretion.

What are cortical nephrons primarily responsible for?

The majority of the kidney's regulatory processes.

What process involves blood being filtered in the glomerulus?

Glomerular Filtration.

What is reabsorbed during tubular reabsorption?

Water and vital nutrients.

What condition can glycosuria indicate?

Excess glucose exceeding the transport capacity.

What is the final product of urine formation?

Urine consists of substances filtered at the glomerulus and those secreted from the blood.

What percentage of body water is found in males?

Approximately 60%.

What hormone increases water reabsorption in the kidneys?

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH).

What does aldosterone promote in the kidneys?

Sodium reabsorption in exchange for potassium or hydrogen ions.

What role does atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH) play?

Decreases blood pressure by promoting sodium and water excretion.

What is the normal blood pH maintained between?

7.35 and 7.45.

What are common diseases associated with kidney function?

Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and urinary tract infections.

What are renal calculi also known as?

Kidney stones.

What is hemodialysis?

A medical procedure that filters blood, removing excess substances and toxins when kidneys can't do so effectively.

What is a potential risk after renal transplantation?

Rejection by the recipient's immune system.

What age-related changes affect renal function?

Decline in renal function, kidney shrinkage, and decreased nephron counts.

How do the kidneys help in maintaining homeostasis?

By regulating water-salt balance, blood pressure, and pH levels.

What important role do the kidneys play regarding electrolytes?

Maintain balance of electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and bicarbonate.

What is the primary function of the urinary bladder?

Stores urine temporarily before expulsion.

What type of muscle composes the urinary bladder?

Smooth muscle (detrusor muscle).

How are ureters structured?

Muscular tubes that convey urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

What is micturition?

The process of urination.

Which layer of the kidneys contains renal corpuscles and convoluted tubules?

Renal Cortex.

What collects urine before it is funneled into the renal pelvis?

Renal Pyramids.

What substances are involved in tubular secretion?

Select substances such as H+ ions and certain drugs.

What happens during tubular reabsorption?

Reabsorption of water and vital nutrients back into the bloodstream.

What confirms kidney function when urine composition is altered?

Underlying health conditions.

What happens to kidneys with aging?

Increased susceptibility to kidney stones and urinary tract infections.

What regulates acid-base homeostasis besides the kidneys?

Buffers and respiratory adjustments.

What is a crucial role of kidneys in regulating blood volume?

Maintenance of blood pressure.

What type of nephrons extends deeper into the renal medulla?

Juxtamedullary Nephrons.

What environmental factors influence average body water percentages?

Body composition and age.

What is an indicator of renal disease?

Alterations in urine composition.

What consequences arise from glomerular damage?

Severe impact on filtration capabilities, leading to waste accumulation.

How many liters of blood does each kidney filter daily?

Approximately 180 liters.

What influences the reabsorption rate in nephrons?

The availability of transporters.

What do the kidneys convert inactive vitamin D into?

Its active form.

Which hormone is secreted in response to decreased blood flow?

Renin.

How does the urinary system contribute to homeostasis?

By aiding the functioning of other systems and ensuring a balanced internal environment.

What are the two main types of nephrons?

Cortical nephrons and juxtamedullary nephrons.

What does kidney shrinkage affect?

Overall health and efficiency of waste removal.

What signifies the kidneys' importance in the body?

They are primary organs for excretion and maintaining homeostasis.

What impact does aldosterone have on potassium levels?

Promotes potassium excretion.