the kidneys

• What is osmosis?

  Diffusion of water through a partially permeable membrane
• Why is it important for the body to maintain water balance in the blood?

  To prevent cells from gaining or losing too much water
• What are the three ways the body loses water?

  Lungs, skin, and kidneys
• Why can't the body control water loss through the lungs?

  Because it is part of the breathing process
• What substances are lost through sweat?

  Water, ions, and urea
• Why can't the body control water loss through sweating?

  Because sweating is part of temperature control
• What organ controls water loss through urine?

  Kidneys
• What happens if the blood is too dilute?

  Kidneys remove excess water and produce more urine
• What waste product is removed by the kidneys?

  Urea
• What happens to glucose in the kidneys?

  It is filtered out and then reabsorbed
• What is the process of breaking down excess amino acids called?

  Deamination
• Why is ammonia converted to urea in the liver?

  Because ammonia is toxic
• What is the role of the kidneys in homeostasis?

  Adjust levels of water and ions in the blood
• What happens to the concentration of urea in the blood after passing through the kidneys?

  It falls to virtually zero
• What is the function of the bladder?

  Stores urine
• Why is glucose reabsorbed by the kidneys?

  Because it is needed for energy
• What is the toxic chemical produced during deamination?

  Ammonia
• What happens to excess amino acids in the liver?

  They are broken down into ammonia
• What is the main function of the kidneys?

  Remove waste and adjust water/ion levels
• What happens to ions in the kidneys?

  They are filtered and selectively reabsorbed
• What is the name of the process where the kidneys filter and reabsorb substances?

  Selective reabsorption
• Why is urea excreted by the kidneys?

  Because it is a waste product
• What is the role of the liver in dealing with excess amino acids?

  Breaks them down into ammonia
• What is the purpose of deamination in the liver?

  To remove excess amino acids
• What is the final product of deamination that is excreted by the kidneys?

  Urea
• Why is selective reabsorption important in the kidneys?

  To maintain the balance of essential substances
• What is the name of the process where the liver converts ammonia to urea?

  Urea cycle
• What happens to the concentration of ions in the blood after passing through the kidneys?

  It decreases
• What is the role of the kidneys in homeostasis?

  Maintain water and ion balance
• Why is urea not reabsorbed by the kidneys?

  Because it is a waste product
• What is the name of the process where the liver breaks down excess amino acids?

  Deamination
• What happens to the concentration of glucose in the blood after passing through the kidneys?

  It remains unchanged
• What is the role of the kidneys in removing waste?

  Filter and excrete urea
• Why is glucose reabsorbed by the kidneys?

  Because it is needed for energy