Question

age - related changes in the renal system result in:
select one:
a. a decreased ability to clear wastes from the body and a decreased ability to conserve fluids when needed.
b. dilation of the blood vessels that supply the nephrons, which allows the kidneys to maintain their function.
c. the formation of large amounts of urine secondary to an increase in kidney mass of up to 20%.
d. a significant increase in filtration, which causes the excretion of large amounts of water from the body.

Explanation:

As people age, the renal system undergoes changes. The nephrons (functional units of the kidney) are affected. There is a reduction in the number of nephrons and their function. This leads to a decreased ability to clear waste (due to reduced filtration capacity in some aspects related to nephron function decline) and also a decreased ability to conserve fluids (as the regulatory mechanisms related to fluid re - absorption in the nephrons are less efficient).

• Option B: Blood vessels supplying nephrons tend to undergo changes like sclerosis (hardening) rather than dilation as a common age - related change.
• Option C: Kidney mass actually decreases with age, not increases.
• Option D: Filtration rate (glomerular filtration rate) decreases with age, not increases.

Answer:

A. a decreased ability to clear wastes from the body and a decreased ability to conserve fluids when needed.