1

Kidneys and Homeostasis

Student’s Name

Institutional Affiliation

Course Name and Number

Professor’s Name

Assignment Due Date

 2

Kidneys and Homeostasis

A human body is a complex system that is made up of many cells. For these cells to

function properly, human body conditions have to be constant as possible. However, a human's

day-to-day activities tend to change their internal conditions. They take in new lots of molecules

as they eat and digest food, release heat energy as they move up and about, the amount of water

they lose or take in their body varies constantly, and their cells are always producing poisonous

waste. Kidneys maintain Homeostasis by filtering blood, removing waste, and compensating for

what the body needs to function.

Background of Kidneys in Homeostasis

For centuries, the concept of Homeostasis has been linked to kidneys. Amongst other

several responsibilities, the kidneys have the role in maintaining Homeostasis. They collaborate

with other body systems to ensure smooth Homeostasis. For example, kidneys and the

circulatory system work together to filter the blood and the urinary system to excrete waste

(Dasgupta & Wahed, 2014). The kidneys have the ability to excrete anything that is in excess or

compensate for what the body needs.

Ways Kidneys Contribute To the Body's Homeostasis

For these cells to function properly, they rely on Homeostasis. Homeostasis is defined as

the state of perpetual equilibrium within body organs, cells, fluids, and tissues (Kay, 2020). For

instance, an animal needs balanced ions in its blood system to prevent the decreasing or

increasing blood PH values. Blood contains a lot of nutrients and waste products. Therefore,
 3

blood filtration is crucial in order to maintain the required electrolytes, fluids, and other

elements. The inability to maintain equilibrium within the body, also known as homeostatic

imbalance, affects the body's normal functioning, hence diseases or death. Homeostatic

imbalance usually occurs due to toxicity or deficiency. One commonly known example is

hypothyroidism, whereby a body cannot regulate or produce thyroid hormones well. This, in

turn, results to weight gain and fatigue. Also, kidneys normally excrete high uric acid levels that

can result in Hyperuricemia disease (Kay, 2020).

Maintaining Homeostasis is a complex process. However, the Kidneys maintain it by:

Balancing Water

The kidneys ensure that body fluid is at constant osmolality. The measure of particles

dissolved in a given amount of fluid is known as osmolality. Adjusting the number of particles

of the fluid equals to changed osmolality. In a day, a human body can produce urine varying

from 500 milliliters to 23 liters (Mathur, 2006). The control of water excreted or added in the

body by the kidney rests on the anti-diuretic hormone, also known as anti-water hormone.

Balancing Acid and Base

Kidneys regulate the PH levels in the body. Maintenance of the PH levels by the kidney

is vital for regular cellular function. This is because PH dictates the charged level of proteins that

affect binding, enzymatic activity, conformational shape, and cellular transport and allowing

them to perform important metabolic functions. They recover and regenerate bicarbonate

(HCO3–) from the urine. Also, they use the enzyme carbonic anhydrase in catalyzing reactions
 4

that involve bicarbonate. Carbonic anhydrase is the same enzyme used in balancing acid-base

functions in the pancreas, stomach, and red blood cells (Mathur, 2006).

Blood Pressure and Extracellular Fluid Volume

Though kidneys cannot sense blood pressure directly, they act by collaborating with other

body systems to regulate blood pressure. They do so through the renin-angiotensin system to

regulate the volume of extracellular fluid in a body, which is regulated by sodium in blood

plasma (Ivanov, 2018). When blood pressure is left untreated, it damages arteries around the

kidneys hence kidney disease.

Electrolyte Concentration

Kidneys ensure electrolytes like potassium, bicarbonate, sodium, copper, magnesium,

chloride, and phosphate are maintained (Dasgupta & Wahed, 2014). For instance, the hormones

angiotensin II and aldosterone ensure reabsorption of sodium from sodium excretion and renal

filtrate into the renal collecting tubule.

Secretion of Hormones

The kidneys produce two hormones (renin and erythropoietin) that support Homeostasis.

Renin is both an enzyme and a hormone, also referred to as angiotensinogenase. It helps produce

angiotensin II that affects the body, eventually leading to high blood pressure (Kundra &

Selvam, 2017). On the other hand, the Erythropoietin stimulates red blood cell production in the

bone marrow. This occurs in response to the cells' life spans and cellular hypoxia when tissues

do not get enough oxygen.

 5

Synthesis of Vitamin D

Kidneys enable the activation of Vitamin D through hydroxylation reaction. An OH

group is added to calcidiol hence calcitriol. Activated Vitamin D is essential for the absorption

of calcium in the digestive tract, its (calcium) reabsorption in the kidney as well as the

preservation of normal serum concentrations of phosphate and calcium (Maalouf, 2011).

Calcium is vital in muscle contraction, bone health, and hormone secretion. Therefore, its

inadequacy leads to osteomalacia and osteoporosis in adults, rickets in children.

Conclusion

For body organs, cells, fluid, and tissues to function smoothly, Homeostasis must be at its

best. Even though maintaining Homeostasis is not easy, the kidneys have played their role well

in maintaining it. It balances body fluids, PH levels, hormones, vitamin D as well as blood

pressure. To ensure that every organ functions properly, the kidney collaborates with other body

systems to maintain Homeostasis. The kidney adds what the body needs and excretes what is in

excess hence a constant equilibrium.

 6

References

Dasgupta, A., & Wahed, A. (2014). Water, Homeostasis, electrolytes, and acid–base

balance. Clinical Chemistry, Immunology and Laboratory Quality Control, 67-84.

https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-407821-5.00005-x

Ivanov, D. (2018). Renin-angiotensin system antagonists, glomerular filtration rate, and blood

pressure. KIDNEYS, 7(1), 6-10. https://doi.org/10.22141/2307-1257.7.1.2018.122214

Kay, I. (2020). Homeostasis: The central concept in physiology. Introduction to Animal

Physiology, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003076827-1

Maalouf, N. M. (2011). Calcium homeostasis. Textbook of Endocrine Physiology.

https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780199744121.003.0017

Mathur, K. (2006). Homeostasis: Acid–base balance and regulation. Short Textbook of

Physiology, 230-230. https://doi.org/10.5005/jp/books/10766_47

Mathur, K. (2006). Homeostasis: Regulation of water balance. Short Textbook of Physiology,

183- 183. https://doi.org/10.5005/jp/books/10766_40

Kundra, P., & Selvam, S. (2017). Role of renin Angiotensin system in cardiovascular

Homeostasis. Yearbook of Anesthesiology-5, 48-48.

https://doi.org/10.5005/jp/books/12964_6