BIO 156

Chapter 9
 The Urinary System

Organs of Excretion
• Cells of the body produce a number of wastes that
must be excreted to maintain homeostasis.

• Organisms must have a system for eliminating waste.

– Excretory organs remove waste and help regulate
inorganic ions and water.
– The major metabolic wastes and substances
include:
• Ammonia
• Urea
• Uric acid
• Bile pigments
• Urochrome
• Carbon dioxide
• Water
• Inorganic ions
 The Urinary System
• Humans have several organ systems that rid the body
of wastes; one of the most important is the urinary
system.

• The urinary system consists of the kidneys, ureters,

bladder, and urethra.
–Kidneys remove
impurities from the blood
and help regulate the water
levels and ionic
concentrations of the
blood.
–Blood enters the kidneys
in the renal arteries whose
branches deliver it to
millions of nephrons.
–The nephrons produce
urine, which drains from
the kidneys into the
bladder via the ureters.
–Urine is voided through
the urethra.
Anatomy of the
Urinary System
The human kidney
consists of two
zones: an outer
cortex and inner
medulla.
Nephrons consist of two parts, a glomerulus and a renal tubule.
The renal tubule consists of four parts:
1. Bowman’s capsule
2. The proximal convoluted tubule
3. The loop of Henle
4. The distal convoluted tubule

Bowmans Capsule
• Blood filtration in nephrons
involves three processes:
– Glomerular filtration is a
physical filtration process
– Tubular reabsorption helps
conserve valuable nutrients
and ions.
– Tubular secretion is the
transport of waste products
from the peritubular capillaries
into the renal tubule.
Controlling Kidney Function and Maintaining Homeostasis

• Concentrations of ions and other substances are

controlled by regulating water levels.
– The concentration of water and dissolved
substances in the blood is controlled by two
hormones:
• ADH increases water reabsorption and
conserves body water.
• Aldosterone stimulates water reabsorption in
the kidney.
Antidiuretic
Hormone
(ADH )
Secretion
Aldosterone Secretion
Water balance is also affected by several
chemicals, like caffeine and alcohol (ethanol).

– Caffeine increases urine output without affecting

ADH secretions.
– Ethanol inhibits the secretion of ADH by the
pituitary.
Kidney stones can block the outflow of
urine and cause severe kidney damage.
Renal failure may occur suddenly or
gradually and can be treated by
dialysis, a mechanical filtering of the
blood.

Polycystic Kidney Disease

 Health and Homeostasis

• The kidneys help maintain the proper levels of

nutrients and waste in the body. They also help
eliminate toxins in the body and maintain blood pH.

• Kidneys can be damaged by severe blood loss,

bacteria, and toxic chemicals.
End of Chapter 9