Directions: For this assignment you will be reading three short articles about the kidney.  Focus your attention on the big picture: the overall function of kidneys in helping us to maintain water balance and excrete waste.  Once you have finished reading the articles, you should answer the questions that follow.

Articles

1. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_ocr_pre_2011/homeostasis/waterbalrev1.shtml
   
2. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_ocr_pre_2011/homeostasis/waterbalrev2.shtml
3. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_ocr_pre_2011/homeostasis/waterbalrev3.shtml

Questions

1. Outline the ways in which we take in and lose water.
2. Explain what the kidneys do.
3. Explain what is meant by “water balance” in the blood.
4. Describe four factors that affect blood plasma concentration.
5. Briefly outline how the kidneys are controlled.