Physiology 2130 Lecture 11: Online Physiology Module 11

• School: Western University
• Department: Physiology
• Course: Physiology 2130
• Professor: Christine Bell

Document Summary

Module 11 renal system, water, & electrolyte balance. The renal system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra: the principal function of the kidneys is the regulation of water balance, electrolyte levels, ph of the blood, and the long term regulation of arterial pressure. The basic function of the kidneys is to remove nonessential substances from the plasma, including waste metabolites, excess water, and electrolytes and to recover any essential substance like glucose. In doing so, the kidneys play a major role in regulating the water levels, the chemical concentration of the body fluid compartments, and ph (or acidity) of the blood. It is important to understand that the kidneys don"t produce water or electrolytes but only conserve them by reducing the amount removed from the body. The elimination of waste or foreign substances is an important function of the kidneys this includes the removal of drugs, food additives, and vitamins that are excreted in the urine.