Background
Homeostasis is the maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment. Just as your
pancreas regulates blood sugar by the release of insulin and glucagon, the kidneys
contribute to the maintenance of i
...
Background
Homeostasis is the maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment. Just as your
pancreas regulates blood sugar by the release of insulin and glucagon, the kidneys
contribute to the maintenance of internal homeostasis by regulating the volume, pH and
composition of the blood while removing water and metabolic wastes.
All organisms produce waste that must be removed. In humans, urine is the fluid produced
by the kidneys as they work to remove nitrogenous waste from the blood. Urine is a watery
fluid containing excess salts, nitrogenous wastes, and a variety of organic molecules. The
concentration of each of these substances depends on the person’s health, diet and degree
of activity.
The analysis of a urine sample is called urinalysis and includes a physical, chemical and
visual examination. Physicians can evaluate the general health of an individual by testing
the chemical composition of urine in order to monitor certain diseases such as diabetes
mellitus, proteinuria, phenylketonuira, acidosis, alkalosis, and other kidney disorders.
Results from urinalysis may also be used to detect drug abuse, pregnancy, kidney damage,
liver diseases, trauma, or infections ( i.e urinary tract infections). Urinalysis is often
performed in tandem with blood tests.
Normal urine is a transparent solution with a light yellow to amber colour. The colour of
urine is strongly influenced by concentration, diet and hormones. The pH of normal urine
ranges from 4.8-7.5, the average pH is 6.6. Physical abnormalities such as a red colour or
uncharacteristic odours often provide medical professionals with a starting point for further
investigations. A urine sample with a “sweetish” odour suggests the presence of unusually
high ketones in the urine which may indicate diabetes, starvation or insufficient intake of
carbohydrates. A red or pinkish colour in the urine may indicate the presence of a urinary
tract infection
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