1. Unit 12: Human Regulation and Reproduction
Lesson 2: The Kidney

2. The Kidneys Learning objectives:
1. To be able to describe the structure
2. To be aware of some problems associated with the kidney.

3. Starter questions Work in pairs to answer the following questions:
What metabolic process (chemical reaction) happens in every cell?
What are the waste products of this process?
Where does the waste products go?
What is the function of the kidneys?

4. The Urinary System
Blood is brought to the kidneys in the renal arteries.
Urea and other substances are filtered out of the blood and form urine.
The ‘cleaned’ blood flows out of the kidneys in the renal veins.

5. The Excretory System

6. The Kidneys
Cross Section:

7. With labels:

8. The Function of The Kidneys:
To control salt (ion) and water balance What is this called? Osmoregulation Why do we need a constant balance of water in the body? Discuss…

9. Kidney Research Task:
Using the text books, answer the following question:
1. Describe the location of the kidneys in the body.
2. What are the tiny tubes in the kidney called?
3. Draw a sketch of one of these tubes.
4. What is a ‘Glomerulus’?
5. What is the function of the glomerulus?
6. What is the normal pH of the blood?
7. What role does the kidney have in balancing pH?
You have 20 minutes…

10. What can go wrong in the kidney?
Kidney Stones
Chronic Kidney Disease
Cancer
Kidney Failure

11. Kidney Stones What causes kidney stones?
The waste products in the blood can occasionally form crystals that collect inside the kidneys. Over time, the crystals may build up to form a hard stone-like lump.
This is more likely to happen if you don't drink enough fluids, are taking some types of medication, or have a medical condition that raises the levels of certain substances in your urine.

14. Kidney Failure The body can easily survive with one kidney.
In kidney failure (various causes) usually only one kidney will fail.
This can be removed and in some cases no further action required.
If both kidneys fail the only long term option is a transplant

15. Kidney transplants What is a transplant?
What complications might a patient face when it comes to organ transplants?
Explain in detail, using your knowledge of antibodies, lymphocytes and antigens, why a donor kidney might be rejected?

16. Kidney failure- treatments
Why does a donor kidney need to be a match for the patient?
Why are close relatives more likely to have better matches than strangers?
Even with a good match, the patient will need to take life long treatments. How else may this effect the patient?

17. Dialysis
While waiting for a kidney, a patient will need to be connected to a dialysis machine for several hours, several times a week.
Most people would prefer a
Kidney transplant to dialysis.
Discuss why.

18. Re-cap: Label the parts of the kidney and urinary system4. 1. 5. 2. 6. 3.