Physiology 2130 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Renal Pelvis, Renal Artery, Renal Medulla

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

Document Summary

Function of the kidneys: the basic function of the kidneys is to remove non-essential 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. Blood supply of the kidneys: blood flows to the kidneys through the renal artery. Processes along the nephron: each section of the nephron has different functions, these functions can be broken into filtration, reabsorption, and secretion. In secondary active transport, the na+ concentration gradient that is established by the. Na+/k+ pump is used to power other transporters: as na+ moves into the cell down its concentration gradient, other substances will either move in with the na+ or will move out in exchange with the incoming. It is also located on the luminal side of the cells.