Humans has two kidney . The process of purification of blood is carried by the kidneys . Who the process of purification changes if only one kidney is present. I mean the connection of the vessels.
Humans has two kidney . The process of purification of blood is carried by the kidneys . Who the process of purification changes if only one kidney is present. I mean the connection of the vessels.
If only one kidney is present, that kidney can adjust to filter as much as two kidneys would normally. In such a situation, the nephrons compensate individually by increasing in size--a process known as hypertrophy--to handle the extra load. This happens with no adverse effects, even over years. In fact, if one functional kidney is missing from birth, the other kidney can grow to reach a size similar to the combined weight of two kidneys (about one pound).
The kidneys filter this large amount of fluid on a daily basis because nephrons are fairly indiscriminant filters, removing all contents from the blood except for larger proteins and cells. The nephrons, however, are extremely accomplished in processing the filtrate and substances critical to survival--such as water, glucose, amino acids and electrolytes, which are actively reabsorbed into the blood. The water and waste (including urea and creatinine, acids, bases, toxins and drug metabolites) that remain in the nephrons become urine.
In addition to being able to support life with only one kidney, the renal system has other safeguards. Although nephrons stop functioning at a rate of 1 percent per year after 40 years of age, the remaining nephrons tend to enlarge and fully compensate for this demise.
If only one kidney is present, that kidney can adjust to filter as much as two kidneys would normally. In such a situation, the nephrons compensate individually by increasing in size--a process known as hypertrophy--to handle the extra load. This happens with no adverse effects, even over years. In fact, if one functional kidney is missing from birth, the other kidney can grow to reach a size similar to the combined weight of two kidneys (about one pound).
The kidneys filter this large amount of fluid on a daily basis because nephrons are fairly indiscriminant filters, removing all contents from the blood except for larger proteins and cells. The nephrons, however, are extremely accomplished in processing the filtrate and substances critical to survival--such as water, glucose, amino acids and electrolytes, which are actively reabsorbed into the blood. The water and waste (including urea and creatinine, acids, bases, toxins and drug metabolites) that remain in the nephrons become urine.
In addition to being able to support life with only one kidney, the renal system has other safeguards. Although nephrons stop functioning at a rate of 1 percent per year after 40 years of age, the remaining nephrons tend to enlarge and fully compensate for this demise.
