Question

learning about the kidneys and urinary tract
using the information on the webpage, answer the fill - in - the - blank and free response questions below.
besides making urine and filtering blood, what are other roles that they kidneys have?
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blood travels to each kidney through the ________________ artery.
there are approximately how many nephrons in each kidney? ________________
each nephron contains a filter called the ________________. the fluid that is
filtered from the blood travels down a tube like structure called a ________________.
filtered blood leaves the kidney through the ________________ vein.
during urination, the bladder walls tighten and this relaxes: ________________
what are ways you can keep your urinary system healthy? ________________
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you should contact your doctor if you feel what? ________________

Explanation:

• The kidneys also help regulate blood pressure by producing renin, which affects the renin - angiotensin - aldosterone system. They produce erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow. Additionally, they help maintain the body's acid - base balance and regulate electrolyte levels (such as sodium, potassium, and calcium).
• Blood travels to each kidney through the renal artery.
• There are approximately 1 million nephrons in each kidney.
• Each nephron contains a filter called the glomerulus. The fluid that is filtered from the blood travels down a tube - like structure called a tubule.
• Filtered blood leaves the kidney through the renal vein.
• During urination, the bladder walls tighten and the urethral sphincter relaxes.
• Ways to keep the urinary system healthy include drinking plenty of water (to flush out bacteria and waste), urinating regularly (to prevent bacteria from multiplying in the bladder), maintaining good hygiene (especially for females, wiping from front to back), and eating a balanced diet (low in salt to prevent kidney damage).
• You should contact your doctor if you feel pain or a burning sensation during urination (which could indicate a urinary tract infection), blood in the urine (hematuria, which could be due to infection, kidney stones, or other serious conditions), frequent urination with little urine output (could be a sign of a bladder problem or infection), or lower back pain (which might be related to kidney issues like a kidney infection or stone).

Answer:

1. Regulate blood pressure (via renin), produce erythropoietin (for red blood cell production), maintain acid - base balance, and regulate electrolyte levels.
2. renal
3. 1 million
4. glomerulus; tubule
5. renal
6. urethral sphincter
7. Drink plenty of water, urinate regularly, maintain good hygiene, and eat a balanced diet.
8. Pain or burning during urination, blood in the urine, frequent urination with little output, or lower back pain.