Urinary Organs
Urinary Organ Objectives
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List the urinary organs and state the function(s) of each organ.
- Describe the structure of a nephron and how it filters, reabsorbs, and secretes.
- Explain the important functions of the smooth muscle and transitional epithelial tissue in the bladder.
We are starting with an introduction to the organs of the urinary system.
The poster and model in this video illustrate how significant the blood supply is to the kidneys and the amount of urea (along with other wastes) that is filtered out of the blood plasma.
In the urinary system, most of the action is happening in the kidneys. Approximately a million nephrons in each kidney filter blood plasma and create urine.
Each nephron filters blood plasma, pulling out waste and excessive materials. This model shows the glomerulus of capillaries, as well as the tubule that enables reabsorption of needed materials back into the blood and secretion of urine.
Under the microscope we can see the glomeruli and a lot of tubules running in slightly different directions.
We can’t forget about the bladder, it has an incredible ability to stretch as it fills with urine.
What gives human urine its characteristic yellow-ish color? ________What is the source of urea in urine? ________
Answer: broken down hemoglobin; toxic ammonia from cells is converted to less toxic urea by the liver
Which organ(s) actually filter the blood plasma? _____What are the names of the smaller units that do the filtering? _____ So much is filtered out, much of the water and ions need to be _____ into the blood plasma. Which tubes carry the urine to the bladder? _____ What is the name of the tube that carries urine out of the body? _____
Answers: Kidneys; nephrons; reabsorbed; ureters; urethra
In this guide’s media piece, you will be using two different forms of media to convey the same (or similar) information about the human body. In this video, a two-dimensional poster and three-dimensional model both teach about the structure of urinary tract organs.
Start Your 5B Media Assignment here
Media transmits information in many forms: text, photos, sound, videos, models, illustrations, etc. Often we select the media form we are used to making, but it can be more effective to match the media to the message.
For this media piece, you are selecting a simple concept about the human body and representing it in two different forms of media.
Step #1: Select a simple body concept. Simple concepts could be the structure of a nephron, the equation for cellular respiration, the five types of white blood cells, the length of the small intestine, the basic dietary food groups, etc.
Step #2: Make two different pieces of media about the same concept. It could be a photo and a short descriptive paragraph; a drawing and a poem; or any other combination that captures the concept in two different ways.
Step #3: Briefly explain whether you think one of your media forms is better than the other at conveying information, and/or if you think the concept is more effectively conveyed with both media pieces.
You are turning in:
A. your originally created two media forms about the same simple human body concept, and
B. your thoughts about the effectiveness of the media forms you chose to make in conveying information about the concept.
The next section provides an overview of urinalysis and urinary tract disorders.
Check your knowledge. Can you:
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list the urinary organs and state the function(s) of each organ?
- describe the structure of a nephron and how it filters, reabsorbs, and secretes?
- explain the important functions of the smooth muscle and transitional epithelial tissue in the bladder?
Go back to the Urinary Overview Page
Go forward to the Urinary Disorders Page
Urinary System Guide Contents
Complete all four of these sections before taking the quiz and making your media piece.
Back to Module 5
This week’s overview
This Guide
5B: Urinary System
Products Information
5B: Quiz & Media
