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What is osmosis?
The movement of water from a dilute solution to a concentrated solution through a partially permeable membrane.
In what ways is water lost from the body?
During exhalation via the lungs.
Sweating.
Urine (some reabsorbed in the kidney).
In what ways are ions lost from the body?
Sweating.
Urine (some reabsorbed in the kidney).
How are excess amino acids excreted from the body?
Excess amino acids are deaminated in the liver to form ammonia.
Ammonia is toxic, therefore it’s converted into urea.
Urea is excreted from the body via sweat and urine.
How do the kidneys maintain the balance of water and other substances in the body?
Filter blood in order to remove waste products e.g. urea.
Selectively reabsorb useful molecules e.g. glucose, water, ions.
What is the full name of the hormone ADH?
Anti-diuretic hormone.
Where is ADH secreted in the body?
The pituitary gland of the brain.
How does ADH affect the reabsorption of water in the kidneys?
When the blood is too concentrated, the pituitary gland secretes more ADH.
ADH travels in the bloodstream to the kidney and increases the permeability of kidney tubules to water.
More water is reabsorbed in the kidneys, resulting in a smaller volume of more concentrated urine.
Why is kidney failure dangerous?
When the kidneys are damaged, they may be unable to filter the blood properly. This may lead to:
A build-up of toxic molecules (e.g. urea) in the body.
An uncontrolled ion and water balance and cells being damaged as a result of osmosis.
What are the two main ways of treating kidney failure?
Dialysis
Transplant
What is kidney dialysis?
The use of a specialist machine to carry out the function of kidneys.
Dialysis fluid contains the same concentration of glucose and ions as healthy blood.
As a result, only excess and waste molecules are lost from the blood, and glucose and ions remain.
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