The following is a complete list of the functions of the kidneys:
1) The kidneys remove poisonous wastes from the blood.- uric and uric acids. from protein breakdown. Life-threatening illnesses occur when too many of these waste products accumulate in the blood.
2) Removes water and any substances dissolved in it such as salts, glucose, amino acids,to be collected in Bowman's capsule. Larger particles in the blood, such as red blood cells and protein molecules, are too bulky to pass through the capillary walls and they remain in the blood. The filtered blood leaves the glomerulus through another arteriole that branches into the meshlike network of blood vessels around the renal tubule. The blood then exits the kidneys through the renal vein. Approximately 180 liters (about 50 gallons) of blood moves through the two kidneys every day.
3) Glomerular filtration- or filtering the blood -water, salts, glucose amino acids and waste products or urea and uric acids are filtered thru. and collected in the Bowman's capsule.
4) Tubular reabsorption -reabsorbs much of the water, salt, and virtually all of the nutrients, especially glucose and amino acids, that were removed in the glomerulus. This enables the body to selectively keep the substances it needs while ridding itself of wastes. Eventually, about 99 percent of the water, salt, and other nutrients is reabsorbed.
5) Tubular secretion- unwanted substances from the capillaries surrounding the nephron are added to the glomerular filtrate. These substances include various charged particles called ions, including ammonium, hydrogen, and potassium ions.
6) Together, glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption, and tubular secretion produce urine, which flows into collecting ducts and into the microtubules of the pyramids. The urine is then stored in the renal pelvis and eventually drained into the ureters.
In addition to filtering the blood, the kidneys perform several other essential functions.
One such activity is regulation of the amount of water contained in the blood. This process is influenced by antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also called vasopressin, which is produced in the hypothalamus and stored in the nearby pituitary gland. Receptors in the brain monitor the blood's water concentration. When the amount of salt and other substances in the blood becomes too high, the pituitary gland releases ADH into the bloodstream. When it enters the kidneys, ADH makes the walls of the renal tubules and collecting ducts more permeable to water so that more water is reabsorbed into the bloodstream.
The hormone aldosterone, produced by the adrenal glands, interacts with the kidneys to regulate the blood's sodium and potassium content. High amounts of aldosterone cause the nephrons to reabsorb more sodium ions, more water, and fewer potassium ions; low levels of aldosterone have the reverse effect. The kidneys’ responses to aldosterone help keep the blood's salt levels within the narrow range that is best for crucial physiological activities.
Aldosterone also helps regulate blood pressure. When blood pressure starts to fall, the kidneys release an enzyme called renin, which converts a blood protein into the hormone angiotensin. This hormone causes blood vessels to constrict, resulting in a rise in blood pressure. Angiotensin then induces the adrenal glands to release aldosterone, which promotes sodium and water reabsorption to further increase blood volume and blood pressure.
The kidneys also adjust the body's acid-base balance to prevent such blood disorders as acidosis and alkalosis, both of which impair the functioning of the central nervous system. If the blood is too acidic, meaning that there is an excess of hydrogen ions, the kidneys move these ions to the urine through the process of tubular secretion.
The kidneys also process vitamin D, converting it to an active form that stimulates bone development.
The kidneys also produce several hormones. One of these, erythropoietin, influences the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow. When the kidneys detect that the number of red blood cells in the body is declining, they secrete erythropoietin. This hormone travels in the bloodstream to the bone marrow, stimulating the production and release of more red cells.
Dialysis :
Removes waste and excess fluid from the blood to prevent build-up
Controls blood pressure
Keeping a safe level of chemicals in the body, such as potassium, sodium, and chloride.
So the effects of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) requiring dialysis:
1) Anemia due to deficiency in eythropoietin production.
2) decreased level of erythropoeitin leading to reduction in RBC and thus oxygen.
3) Metabolic Acidosis- excess of hydrogen ions places the patient at risk for loss of bone minerals Fatigue and lack of physical endurance may result not only from anemia but also from acidosis. The acidosis
4) alterations in CA-phosphate metabolism placing patient at risk for underlying bone disease.
5) kidneys unable to convert Vit D into calcitrol for absorption; thus bone problems; calcium deficiency as Ca needs Vit D for absorption. and this in turn cause muscle cramps Ca deficiency also causes hyperphostatemia or high levels of phosphates. Proteinuria, especially proteinuria that is in the nephrotic range, predisposes to fluid retention, which, in turn, causes hypertension and edema. Thus, development of edema or hypertension points to possible kidney disease and should prompt urine and blood tests.
6) cause and consequence of high blood pressure: ADH absorbs more water raising blood preesure
Renin -converted to angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) into aldosterone causing nephrons in kidneys to reasorb less sodium, water and more proteins- causing edema.and swelling
elevated aldosterone also causes a rise in blood pressure.as sodium and water are reabsorbed.
Proteinuria, especially proteinuria that is in the nephrotic range, predisposes to fluid retention, which, in turn, causes hypertension and edema. Thus, development of edema or hypertension points to possible kidney disease and should prompt urine and blood tests.
7) presence of unwanted waste products cause azotemia or uremia and causes itching.
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2007-10-20 02:38:51
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answer #1
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answered by rosieC 7
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