Production of Urea + Many metabolic reactions within the body produce waste products + The removal of these waste products is known as excretion + Many excretory products are formed in humans, with two in particular (carbon dioxide and urea) being formed in much greater quantities than others Urea * Ureais produced in the liver Itis produced from excess amino acids If more protein is eaten than is required, the excess cannot be stored in the body However, the amino acids within the protein can still provide useful energy To make this energy accessible, the amino group is removed from each amino acid This process is known as deamination: © The amino group (-NHz) of an amino acid is removed, together with an extra hydrogen atom © These combine to form ammonia (NH) © The remaining keto acid may enter the Krebs cycle to be respired, be converted to glucose, or converted to glycogen / fat for storageR R KETO ACID | -2H+H,O | (RESPIRED OR NH,—C— COOH C— COOH | converte TO iM I GLUCOSE OR FAT) AMINO ACID NH3 [| AMMONIA Deamination of anamino acid* Ammoniais a very soluble and highly toxic compound that is produced during deamination; it can be very damaging if allowed to build up in the blood © Itdissolvesin the blood to form alkaline ammonium hydroxide, disrupting blood pH © Itcanimpact the reactions of cell metabolism such as respiration © Itinterferes with cell signalling processes * Thisis avoided by converting ammonia to urea © Ureais ess soluble and less toxic than ammonia * Ammonia is combined with carbon dioxide to form urea 2NH, + CO, ———> COINH,), + H,O0 UREA. Formation of ureaStructure of the Human Kidney * Humans have two kidneys * The kidneys are responsible for carrying out two very important functions: © Asanosmoregulatory organ - they regulate the water content of the blood (vital for maintaining blood pressure) © Asanexcretory organ - they excrete the toxic waste products of metabolism (such as urea) and substances in excess of requirements (such as salts)The position of the kidneys and their associated structuresThe function of the kidneys & their associated structures Saale ata) maton aol} Renal artery | Carries oxygenated blood (containing urea and salts) to kidneys Renal vein Carries deoxygenated blood (that has had urea and excess salts removed) away from kidneys Kidney Regulates water content of blood and filters blood Carries urine from kidneys to bladder Bladder Stores urine (temporarily) Releases urine outside of the body* The kidney itself is surrounded by a fairly tough outer layer known as the fibrous capsule * Beneath the firous capsule, the kidney has three main areas: © The cortex (contains the glomerulus, as well as the Bowman's capsule, proximal convoluted tubule, and distal convoluted tubule of the nephrons) © The medulla (contains the loop of Henle and collecting duct of the nephrons) © The renal pelvis (where the ureter joins the kidney) FIBROUS CAPSULE RENAL PELVIS BRANCH OF RENAL VEIN BRANCH OF RENAL ARTERY Across-section of a kidney (as seen when cut in half vertically)