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The Urinary System: Excretion: The Removal of
The Urinary System: Excretion: The Removal of
The two kidneys lie in the lower, dorsal part of the abdomen.
1. Pressure filtration
2. Selective reabsorption
3. Tubular excretion
4. Reabsorption of water
5. Excretion
Function of the Nephron
1. Pressure filtration:
Blood enters the Glomerulus which is surrounded by the Bowman’s
capsule. Here, occurs. Water, nutrients, and
wastes enter the Bowman’s Capsule. Large organic molecules do
not enter. The liquid that collects in the Bowman’s capsule
is blood plasma minus blood proteins.
Filtered Blood Components:
• Water
• Nitrogenous Wastes
• Nutrients
• Salt (ions)
Non-Filtered Blood Components:
• Formed elements- (blood cells and platelets )
• Proteins
Blood pressure is very important. If blood pressure is too low,
filtration will not occur. A hormone called rennin is released from
a specialized tissue in the Glomerulus that causes the
constriction of the Glomerulus thus the blood pressure is
increased to an adequate level.
Steps of Urine Formation
2. Tubular Reabsorption:
The body can not afford to lose all this water. It must be
reabsorbed into the blood. The cells of the loop of Henle actively
pump Na+ out of the tubule and K+ into the nephron.
The result of this is that the negative ion (Cl-) and water follow
the sodium by osmosis (to even out electrical and concentration
gradients)