In this lesson you will learn about the anatomy and physiology of the excretory (urinary) system and the processes involved in the formation of urine.
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
- describe the four major roles of the excretory system.
- describe the anatomy of the kidneys and their roles in excretion of waste, and in water and salt balance.
- compare and contrast cortical and juxtamedullary nephrons
- describe the evolutionary anatomical adaptation of the nephrons in terrestrial and aquatic organisms.
- identify all components of a nephron including: renal artery, renal vein, Glomerulus, Bowman’s capsule, Proximal tubule, Loop of Henle, Distal Tubule, and Collecting duct.
- explain the two-solute model for the production of concentrated urine in humans.
Below is an Overview of the Excretory System. Please watch it and take notes.
A detailed description of the processes involved in the formation of urine in the nephron is presented in the lesson below. Please watch this video lesson and take notes.
Urine Formation in the Nephron – Activity
The animation below illustrate in detailed the processes involved in the formation of urine. Watch it and prepare a sequential description of the steps for the formation of urine: filtration, secretion and reabsorption from the Glomerulus to the Collecting duct.