Kidneys

Question 1

Describe the renal cortex?

Answer 1

• Contains the Bowman’s capsule for ultrafiltration

Question 2

Describe the renal medulla?

Answer 2

• Contains the loop of henle and collecting duct?

Question 3

Describe the renal pelvis?

Answer 3

• Empties urine to the ureter

Question 4

Describe the nephron?

Answer 4

• Individual blood filtering unit

Question 5

What is homeostasis?

Answer 5

• Maintaining a relatively constant environment for the cells within the body e.g. temperature
• This helps maintain optimal conditions for cellular reactions
• Gives organisms independence from external environments

Question 6

How is homeostasis often maintained?

Answer 6

• Negative feedback

Question 7

What is negative feedback?

Answer 7

• When a factor moves away from its ideal, a set of processes moves it towards normal

Question 8

What are hormones?

Answer 8

• Molecules that are released by endocrine glands directly into the blood that travel to a target organ to produce an effect

Question 9

What are endocrine glands?

Answer 9

• Ductless glands that secrete hormones directly into the blood

Question 10

Where does ultrafiltration happen?

Answer 10

• Bowman’s capsule

Question 10

What are target cells/tissues?

Answer 10

• Cells with receptors embedded in the plasma membrane that are complementary in shape to specific hormone molecules - only these cells will respond to the hormone

Question 11

Describe ultrafiltration?

Answer 11

• Filtration of small molecules (water, glucose, urea, amino acids, mineral ions) from the blood plasma to lumen of Bowman’s capsule under high pressure

Question 12

What happens to the arterioles in the glomerulus?

Answer 12

• Afferent arterioles branches into many capillaries inside Bowman’s capsule (glomerulus)
• The capillaries rejoin to form efferent arterioles