Kidney brainstorm


To assist in understanding the functioning of the kidneys, place the main components of the blood into order of size, starting with the largest:

C    white cells
C    red cells
C   platelets

   plasma proteins, e.g. albumin, fibrinogen, antibodies,

   hormones, e.g. insulin, adrenalin, testosterone, oestrogen, progesterone
D   fatty acids & glycerol
D    amino acids (20 varieties)
drugs e.g. ethanol, ecstasy, heroin, aspirin, "steroids" etc, penicillin & other antibiotics
D    glucose
N    urea
   vitamins

   [mineral salts] ions e.g.
X   Na+ , Cl-
   HCO3-
   Ca2+

X    (water)

Mark the following categories of substances on the list above with the appropriate (?) code

N - nitrogenous excretory products
X - other substances possibly in excess
C - cells (or parts thereof)
D - digestion products

Why is oxygen not on the list?
> not loose in plasma
Where is it in the list, effectively?
> in red cells
Why is carbon dioxide not on the list?
> changed into hydrogencarbonate ions
Where is it in the list, effectively?
> in plasma
Why is haemoglobin not on the list?
> not loose in plasma
Where is it in the list, effectively?
> in red cells

Draw a line below plasma proteins.

In biochemical terms, most of the components below this have "small" molecules, whereas ones above have "large" molecules.

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