Essay Database

Written for a science honors project Informative, comprehensive Kidneys         In vertebrates, kidneys are the two major organs of excretion. Excess water, toxic waste products of metabolism such as urea, uric acid, and inorganic salts are disposed of by kidneys in the form of urine. Kidneys are also largely responsible for maintaining the water balance of the body and the pH of the blood. Kidneys play important roles in other bodily functions, such as releasing the …

…excessive amounts of fluid are lost from the body, or when the blood pressure of the body falls below normal, the kidneys release the enzyme renin into the blood. This enzyme promotes the formation of angiotensin. Within minutes, the angiotensin causes vasoconstriction. Vasoconstriction raises blood pressure, and stimulates the secretion of aldosterone, eventually bringing the body's fluid levels to equilibrium.         The kidney is an extroardinary organ. Without it's processes, human life would be virtually impossible.