For an organism to survive, it needs to get rid of metabolic waste materials, as well as maintain proper concentrations of various necessary materials. For example, human food consists of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, various salts, and water. As these materials are metabolized, certain waste products are produced, such as carbon dioxide, water, urea and related nitrogenous compounds, salt, and various minerals. If these waste materials remain in the body, they quickly upset the body’s equilibrium (homeostasis), so they must be excreted rapidly and efficiently.
The kidneys are very important organs within the human body because they are essential to maintaining homeostasis. Humans have two bean-shaped kidneys that are found at the back of the abdominal cavity, one found on each side of the spine. Each kidney is approximately the size of a person’s fist. All the blood in the body must pass through the kidneys. The large amount of blood that is passed through the kidneys allows them to do the following: Continue reading ‘Kidney Dialysis Simulation’
