The function of the kidneys is to filter blood and in so doing, maintain blood h
ID: 93741 • Letter: T
Question
The function of the kidneys is to filter blood and in so doing, maintain blood homeostasis. Toxins and excess materials are removed from the blood to be voided in the urine. In addition, the kidney is responsive to antidiuretic hormone (ADH) from the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland, and aldosterone from the adrenal cortex. These hormones play a role in regulating body fluid compartments, blood pressure, and electrolyte balance. Furthermore, the kidneys help maintain the pH of the blood.
1.Sunstroke was a common danger in biblical days (2 Kings 4:18-20). Comment on the role the kidneys play in adjusting electrolyte and fluid balance as a result of sunstroke. (PLEASE DO NOT COPY WORD FROM WORD FROM A SOURCE! THANK YOU!) :)
Explanation / Answer
To understand the role of kidney in electrolyte balance we need to understand two terms i.e sun stroke and heat exhaustion.
Heat exhaustion: it is a condition that occurs on exposure to high temperatures. To maintain homeostasis or normal body temperature the body responds by sweating to generate cooling effect to bring down body's temperature. This sweating causes depletion of two major components from the body:
A. Water
B. Salts
With prolonged exposure to high temperature this depletion of water and salt from body increases. This state is heat exhaustion.
2. Sun stroke: Heat exhaustion continues as sunstroke if exposure to high temperature continues and body is already on depleted salt and water concentration. Sun stroke is fatal situation where heat regulation mechanism of body doesn't work and is identified by hyperthermia, dizziness, no sweating( body depletes on water), weakness.
Role of kidney in adjusting electrolyte and water balance:
1.As water loss starts in body( sweating), the blood volume decreases and blood pressure also decreases. Also salt concentration in body decreases.
2. This blood pressure decrease is detected by arteries, which trigger the brain which generates a sympathetic stimulus to kidney.
2. Kidney nephron release a chemical called renin.
3. Renin cause activation of angiotensinogen protein releasesd from liver.
4. Activated angiotensin causes release of two hormone:
A. Aldosterone from adrenal cortex that acts on nephron tubules to increase salt retention of body.
B. Antidiuretic hormone from pancreas posterior lobe causes more absorption of water from nephron filterate and increases water intake through thirst trigger.
These two hormone retain electrolyte(sodium) and water balance in the body through kidney's action.
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