Biology Chapter 11: Section 11.2

the removal of waste substances from the body

excretion

major part of the excretory system

urinary system

excretes the liquid waste urine

excretory system

the most important excretory organs; primary function is to cleanse the blood of wastes and remove those wastes from the body

kidneys

stores urine until it is discharged to the outside through the urethra

urinary bladder

the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body

urethra

microscopic network of blood vessels and renal tubules (small tubes) where blood is filtered and the purified liquids are absorbed

nephrons

sieve-like structure; consists of a cluster of capillaries with perforated walls

glomerulus

collects the water and dissolved substances that escape the blood through the holes

bowman’s capsule

surrounded by hundreds of blood capillaries; the fluid in the bowman’s capsule flows through a long, thin tube called?

renal tubule

return of glucose molecules, hormones, and other useful substances

reabsorption

drains out of the nephron and is pumped down to the bladder for later expulsion from the body

urine

enzyme which acts on the circulatory system to increase blood pressure

renin

the regulation of water reabsorption

ADH hormone

man’s inventions that attempts to take over the job of the kidney

artificial kidney or dialyzer

depresses the ADH production of the hypothalamus, resulting in too much urine output

alcohol

substance found in coffee, tea, colas, and some foods, can have a similar effect if excessive amounts are ingested

caffeine

in tobacco stimulates ADH production and helps the kidneys concentrate urine

nicotine

solid, rock-like particles of calcium and other substances which break through from the kidney and travel through the urinary system, causing intense pain

kidney stone

when uric acid is not filtered out properly by the kidneys, accumulating in the joints of the body, causing pain

gout

worst of any kidney issue; an infection in any part of the urinary system, the kidneys, bladder, or urethra

urinary tract infection

refers to separating molecules of different sizes using a membrane

dialysis