2. Excretion
The removal of metabolic wastes, toxins
and substances in excess of
requirement.
E.g. lungs excrete carbon dioxide in
exhaled air
skin removes excess water, salts and
some urea
Kidney removes urea, excess water and
salts,
Spent hormones and drugs.
3. What is urea?
Excess amino acids cannot be
stored by the body.
The liver removes the
nitrogen part (Amine)of the
excess amino acids to form the
urea molecule, the remainder
of the amino acid contains C,H
&O and can be used to release
energy. This is called de-
amination.
Urea leaves the liver in the
blood (hepatic vein) it travels
with the blood stream till it
reaches the kidney.
7. Nephron parts & their functions
Part Function
Glomerulus Filtration of blood; water, urea, glucose,
amino acids, salts can pass out but plasma
proteins and cells cannot
Renal capsule Collects the filtrate
First convoluted
tubule
Selective reabsorption of water, glucose,
amino acids by active transport
Loop of Henle Reabsoption of water and salts
Second convoluted
tubule
Secretion of wastes into the filtrate
Collecting duct Reabsorption of water, passes urine to pelvis
10
8. Normal constituents of urine
Urine is composed of mostly water, dissolved urea,
salts, spent hormones, alcohol and drugs.
Proteins are large molecules that cannot pass
through the capillaries. If they are found in urine this
person may be suffering from a kidney disease, or
has kidney failure.
Glucose is normally reabsorbed completely, its
presence in urine indicated that the person is
suffering from diabetes.