Role of the Kidneys

• What are the two main roles of the kidneys in the body?

  Filtering blood and regulating water and ions
• What waste product do the kidneys mainly filter out of the blood?

  Urea
• Where is urea produced in the body?

  In the liver
• What process in the liver produces urea?

  Deamination of excess amino acids
• What happens during deamination in the liver?

  Excess amino acids are broken down into ammonia
• Why can’t amino acids be stored in the body?

  They contain nitrogen, forming toxic substances
• What are excess amino acids converted into during deamination?

  Fats, carbohydrates, and ammonia
• Besides removing waste, what else do the kidneys regulate?

  Levels of water and ions in the blood
• Why is it important for the body to maintain a balance of ions like sodium and potassium?

  An imbalance affects cell function and health
• How does the body gain most of its ions?

  Through diet, especially salt and minerals
• How does the body lose ions?

  Through sweating and urination
• What do the kidneys do if too many ions are lost through sweating?

  They reabsorb necessary ions from the blood
• Why is water balance in the blood important?

  Too much water can cause cells to burst
• What happens if ion or water levels move outside the 'narrow range' needed for the body?

  It can lead to cellular damage and organ dysfunction
• What hormone is involved in controlling water reabsorption in the kidneys?

  ADH (antidiuretic hormone)
• How does ADH affect the kidneys?

  It makes kidney tubules more permeable
• What happens to the kidneys during dehydration?

  More ADH is released, increasing water reabsorption
• What happens to ADH levels when you're overhydrated?

  Less ADH is released, leading to more urine
• What would happen if the kidneys failed?

  Waste products would build up in the blood
• How can people with kidney failure manage their condition?

  Through dialysis or a kidney transplant