24. Given below is a highly simplified diagram of the human kidney cut open longitudinally. Answer the questions that follow
24. Given below is a highly simplified diagram of the human kidney cut open longitudinally. Answer the questions that follow

(a) Define excretion.

(b) Name the functional units of the kidneys.

(c) Why does the cortex of the kidney show a dotted appearance?

(d) Mention two functions of the kidney.

(e) Write two differences in composition of the blood flowing through the blood vessels, ‘A’ and ‘B’.

Solution –

  1. Excretion is the removal of waste products from the body
  2. Functional unit of the kidney is nephron .
  3. This is so because the cortex region contains numerous nephrons or kidney tubules.
  4. Two functions of kidney are : it removes waste and osmoregulation .
  5. Blood vessel A represents renal vein and blood vessel B is renal artery .

Renal vein – contains deoxygenated blood with a low concentration of urea and glucose.

Renal artery contains oxygenated blood with a high concentration of urea and glucose.