Functions of the Kidneys
The kidneys assist in the internal regulation of the body by performing the following function-
* Filtration - The kidneys remove the end products of metabolism and substances that have accumulated in the blood in undesirable amounts during the filtration process. Substances removed from the blood include urea, creatinine, uric acid and urates. Undesirable amounts of chloride, potassium, sodium, and hydrogen ions are also filtered from the blood. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is amount of the fluid filtered each minute by all the glomerular of both kidneys and is one index of kidney function.
* Excretion - The kidneys eliminate unwanted substances from the body as urine.
* Reabsorption - Previously filtered substances (water and sodium) needed by the body are reabsorbed into the blood in the tubules.
* Secretion of ions to maintain Acid-Base balance - Secretion is the process of moving ions from the blood into the urine. Secretion allows for the amount of a particular substances to the excreted in the urine in concentrations greater than the concentration filtered from the plasma in the glomeruli. The kidneys regulate the balance between bicarbonate and carbonic acid by the secretion and exchange of hydrogen ions for sodium ions, which are used to from base.
* Renal control of Cardiac …show more content…
Together, these causes approximately 75% of all adult cases. Acute renal failure may be brought about by problems affecting the flow of blood to the kidneys (including dehydration, heart failure etc.), problems or diseases of the kidneys (including damage to kidneys caused by certain medications or toxins) or problems affecting the outflow of urine from the kidneys (including kidney stones, posterior urethral valves etc.). Chronic renal failure commonly results from long term or chronic damage to the kidney
The kidneys assist in the internal regulation of the body by performing the following function-
* Filtration - The kidneys remove the end products of metabolism and substances that have accumulated in the blood in undesirable amounts during the filtration process. Substances removed from the blood include urea, creatinine, uric acid and urates. Undesirable amounts of chloride, potassium, sodium, and hydrogen ions are also filtered from the blood. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is amount of the fluid filtered each minute by all the glomerular of both kidneys and is one index of kidney function.
* Excretion - The kidneys eliminate unwanted substances from the body as urine.
* Reabsorption - Previously filtered substances (water and sodium) needed by the body are reabsorbed into the blood in the tubules.
* Secretion of ions to maintain Acid-Base balance - Secretion is the process of moving ions from the blood into the urine. Secretion allows for the amount of a particular substances to the excreted in the urine in concentrations greater than the concentration filtered from the plasma in the glomeruli. The kidneys regulate the balance between bicarbonate and carbonic acid by the secretion and exchange of hydrogen ions for sodium ions, which are used to from base.
* Renal control of Cardiac …show more content…
Together, these causes approximately 75% of all adult cases. Acute renal failure may be brought about by problems affecting the flow of blood to the kidneys (including dehydration, heart failure etc.), problems or diseases of the kidneys (including damage to kidneys caused by certain medications or toxins) or problems affecting the outflow of urine from the kidneys (including kidney stones, posterior urethral valves etc.). Chronic renal failure commonly results from long term or chronic damage to the kidney