Posted by The objective of this project is to describe the function of the kidneys and how their function helps the body. I will also talk about the seven functions of the kidneys and what the two bean shaped organs do. The media I will be using for this project will be a drawing on my IPad that will show the function of the functions, and the parts of the kidneys that will be labeled.
The kidneys are two bean shaped organs, that are about the size of our fists. The location of the ribs is below the rib cage, on each side of our spine. When your kidneys are healthy, they filter out about a half cup of blood every minute, removing waste and extra water to make urine. As the urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder through the thin tubes of muscle called ureters, one on each side of the bladder (Rodgers, G (n.d.), 2018). Where your urine is stored is in the bladder. The reason why kidneys are rather pretty important, is because it removes the waste and extra fluid for our body and they also remove acid that is made by the cells of our body, and lastly maintains a healthy balance of water, salts, and minerals; sodium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium, in our blood (Rodgers, G (n.d.), 2018). People who have a greater risk of kidney problems are people with diabetes or high blood pressure. Other factors to kidney problems can be accidents or trauma harming the kidneys, such as accidents or sports injuries (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).
The way our kidneys work is rather interesting the more you look into it. Since our kidneys are different from one another, our kidneys are made up of about a million filtering units that are called nephrons. The filters for each nephron are called the glomerulus and a tubule. Each nephron works through a two-step process. The glomerulus filters our blood, and the tubule returns needed substances to our blood and removes wastes (Rodgers, G (n.d.), 2018). As the glomerulus filters our blood, blood flows into each nephron and enters a cluster of tiny blood vessels which is known as the glomerulus. The thin walls of the glomerulus allow the smaller molecules to pass, waste and fluid but mostly water to pass through into the tubule. Larger molecules just stay in the blood vessel (Rodgers (n.d.), 2018). A mneomic way to remember the seven functions of the kidney is: A WETBED. A meaning controlling the ACID-base balance. W meaning the controlling of WATER balance. E meaning the maintaining of ELECTROLYTE balance. T meaning the removable of TOXINS and waste from the body. B meaning the controlling of BLOOD PRESSURE. E meaning the production of hormones; ERYTHROPOIETIN. Lastly D meaning the activation of vitamin D (FKP, 2018).
Kidneys conditions that are involve the kidneys are; pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, kidney stones, nephrotic syndrome, polycystic kidney disease, acute renal failure, chronic renal failure, end-stage renal disease, papillary necrosis, diabetic neuropathy, hypertensive neuropathy, kidney cancer, intestinal nephritis, minimal change disease, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, and renal cyst (Hoffman, M, 2021).
The blood flow of our kidneys happens through the renal artery. The large blood vessel that branches into smaller and smaller blood vessels until the blood reaches the nephrons. The next thing that happens in the nephron is that our blood becomes filtered into tiny blood vessels of the glomeruli and which then flows out of our kidney and through the renal vein (Rodgers (n.d.), 2018). When our blood circulates throughout our kidneys, it happens many times throughout the day. In one day, our kidneys filter about one hundred and fifty quarts of blood. Most of the water and other substances that filter through your glomeruli are returned to your blood by the tubules (Rodgers (n.d.), 2018). About one to two quarts becomes urine, even though children produce less urine than adults, and that depends on the age and the production that is produced.
In conclusion, the project I researched about was to discover the function of the kidneys and how there importance of the kidneys are to the body. Even though the kidneys are an interesting shape and somewhat small they help the body function daily. I also learned about how much the kidneys filter blood and water daily. Interestingly, the kidneys filter out 150 quarts of blood daily. The project representation I did is a drawing of the kidneys and what is involved in the kidneys.
References
Cleveland Clinic medical professional . (2022, May 17). Kidneys: Anatomy, function, Health & Conditions. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved April 18, 2023, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21824-kidney
Hoffman, M., MD. (2021, August 07). Kidneys (anatomy): Picture, Function, conditions, treatments (M. Ratni DO, Ed.). Retrieved April 19, 2023, from https://www.webmd.com/kidney-stones/picture-of-the-kidneys
Rodgers, G. (2018, June). Your kidneys & how they work – NIDDK. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Retrieved April 17, 2023, https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/kidneys-how-they-work
The 7 functions of the kidneys: FKP kidney doctors. (2021, May 31). Retrieved April 19, 2023, https://flkidney.com/the-7-functions-of-the-kidneys/
The objective of this project was to provide an overview of the kidneys, the function of the kidneys, and their significance to the body. This project discussed how the kidneys are two organs that filter out waste and excess water from the blood to produce urine, while also maintaining a proper balance of water, minerals, and salts in the blood. The kidneys have seven functions, which can be remembered using the mnemonic “A WETBED”. Individuals with diabetes or high blood pressure are at a greater risk of developing kidney problems, while other factors, such as accidents or sports injuries, can also lead to kidney damage. The kidneys are made up of nephrons, which are filtering units that work through a two-step process involving the glomerulus and the tubule. Blood flows through the renal artery, and the kidneys filter approximately 150 quarts of blood daily. Most of the substances that filter through the glomeruli are returned to the blood by the tubules. There are numerous kidney conditions, including pyelonephritis, renal cysts, and kidney stones. The kidneys also play a crucial role in regulating the body’s pH balance by removing excess acid produced by the cells.Overall, the kidneys are incredibly important organs that perform many vital functions to keep the body healthy and functioning properly. Maia also used her IPAD to draw the kidneys in a way that shows the function of the parts and labels of the different parts of the kidneys. The drawings were amazing and were clearly labeled with the different parts and functions of the kidneys. Great research and a well done project!