In: Anatomy and Physiology
5. Humans can survive a few days without water, due in large part to the ability of the kidneys to produce very concentrated urine. Explain specifically HOW this occurs in the kidneys and include any hormone(s) that may be involved. (5 pts)
Kidney produce concentrated or diluted urine based on plasma concentration of solute especially sodium. when water intake is high, then blood plasma is diluted and kidney produce diluted urine (produce large volume of urine and more water is excreted), when water intake is low then blood plasma is concentrated and kidney produce concentrated urine (less volume of urine and less water is excreted).
How kidney produce concentrated urine
When water intake is less, blood plasma become concentrated (more solute potential and less water potential), this will stimulates the secretion of Anti-diuretic hormones (ADH), also known as Vasopressin from the posterior pituitary gland. ADH make the wall of the nephron, especially the wall of the collecting duct more permeable to water and more water is reabsorbed from the urine to the blood. This produce less volume of highly concentrated urine (less water is excreted)