Tujuan
1. Identify and describe the organs of the excretory system and their functions.
2. Understand how the excretory system operates and the different types of waste expelled by the human body.
Kontekstualisasi
The excretory system is vital for maintaining balance in the body by regulating the removal of toxins and metabolic waste. For example, the kidneys filter about 180 litres of blood daily, producing roughly 1.5 litres of urine. Recognising the workings of this system is crucial for personal health and for developing medical technologies, like dialysis, that save lives.
Relevansi Subjek
Untuk Diingat!
Kidneys
The kidneys are the primary organs of the excretory system, tasked with filtering blood and generating urine. They eliminate metabolic waste and harmful substances from the bloodstream while regulating the balance of water and electrolytes in the body.
-
Main function: Filtering blood to eliminate waste and toxins.
-
Urine production: Urine is produced in the nephrons, the functional units of the kidneys.
-
Homeostasis regulation: Maintaining the body's balance of water, salts, and pH.
Ureters
The ureters are slender tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Each kidney connects to a ureter that efficiently moves urine, helping to prevent reflux and infections.
-
Urine transportation: Carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
-
Peristalsis: Muscular movements that help the flow of urine.
-
Reflux prevention: Valves in the ureters stop urine from flowing back to the kidneys.
Urinary Bladder
The urinary bladder is a muscular organ that stores urine until it is excreted from the body. It can expand and contract to hold varying amounts of urine.
-
Urine storage: Can accommodate between 600-800 ml of urine.
-
Control of urination: The act of urination is coordinated by the nervous system.
-
Muscle structure: The bladder wall is comprised of detrusor muscle, which assists in expelling urine.
Aplikasi Praktis
-
Dialysis: A medical procedure that mimics kidney function by filtering the blood of patients with kidney failure.
-
Drug development: Research in nephrology aimed at creating medications that enhance kidney function or treat kidney-related diseases.
-
Biomedical engineering: Designing medical devices, such as dialysis machines and artificial kidney implants, to support patients with issues related to the excretory system.
Istilah Kunci
-
Excretory System: A collection of organs responsible for removing metabolic waste and maintaining body balance.
-
Homeostasis: The state of internal stability in the body, managed by various systems, including the excretory system.
-
Dialysis: A medical procedure that substitutes kidney function by filtering the blood of patients facing kidney failure.
-
Nephron: The functional unit of the kidneys, where the processes of blood filtering and urine formation occur.
Pertanyaan untuk Refleksi
-
How can the failure of kidney function affect overall health?
-
In what ways can knowledge of the excretory system be applied in health and biotechnology careers?
-
What contemporary technologies assist in treating kidney diseases and how have these evolved?
Excretory Challenge: Simulating Kidney Function
In this mini-challenge, you’ll step into the shoes of a ‘biomedical engineer’ for a day and design a simple device to simulate the filtering function of the kidneys.
Instruksi
-
Gather materials: coffee filters, sand, coloured water, plastic cups, a funnel, and small stones.
-
Assemble your filtering device: Position the coffee filter inside the funnel over a plastic cup.
-
Start with a layer of small stones in the filter, then add a layer of sand.
-
Gradually pour the coloured water over the filter and observe the clean water coming out from the bottom of the funnel.
-
Compare the filtered water to the original water and discuss how this exercise relates to kidney function.
