GCSE Biology (Combined) WJEC
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113 topics in 13 modules
☑️ The role of the kidneys in homeostasis 10 topics
- Anatomy of the Kidney and Its Function
- Renal Artery and Vein: Roles in Kidney Function
- Nephrons and Their Importance in Filtering Blood
- Osmoregulation: Role of the Kidney in Balancing Water and Salt Levels
- The Process of Ultrafiltration
- Selective Reabsorption and Its Importance
- Production and Role of Urine in the Removal of Waste Products
- The Impact of ADH (Anti-Diuretic Hormone) on the Kidneys
- Understanding Kidney Diseases and Disorders
- Dialysis and Kidney Transplants as Treatments for Kidney Failure
☑️ Cells and Movement across Membranes 11 topics
- The Structure of Animal and Plant Cells
- Use of a Light Microscope
- Specialised Cells
- Levels of Organisation within Organisms
- Diffusion
- Osmosis
- Active Transport
- Enzyme Control of Chemical Reactions in Cells
- Specific Shapes of Enzymes
- Enzyme-substrate Complexes
- Effect of Temperature and pH on Enzyme Activity
☑️ Respiration and the Respiratory System in Humans 9 topics
- Aerobic Respiration
- Anaerobic Respiration
- The Need for and Purpose of the Respiratory System
- The Function of Mucus and Cilia in the Respiratory System
- Mechanisms of Inspiration and Expiration
- The Bell Jar Model
- Structure of an Alveolus and its Blood Supply
- Percentage Composition of Inspired and Expired Air and the Reasons for Differences
- The Effects of Smoking
☑️ Digestion and the Digestive System in Humans 12 topics
- The Need for Digestion
- Digestion of Larger Insoluble Molecules
- Tests for the Presence of Starch, Glucose, Protein
- Carbohydrase, Protease, Lipase in Digestion
- Structure of the Human Digestive System and Associated Structures
- Role of Organs in Digestion and Absorption
- How Food is Moved by Peristalsis
- The Function of Bile
- Absorbing Soluble Substances
- Fate of the Digested Products of Fats, Carbohydrates and Proteins
- The Need for a Balanced Diet
- The Implications of Sugar, Fat and Salt in Foods
☑️ Circulatory System in Humans 7 topics
- The Structure of a Phagocyte and a Red Blood Cell
- Functions of Red Cells, Platelets, Plasma, White Cells
- The Structure of Heart
- The Role of the Coronary Vessels
- The Flow of Blood
- Double Circulatory System (Pulmonary and Systemic)
- Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease
☑️ Plants and Photosynthesis 4 topics
- Imprtance of Photosynthesis
- Limiting Factors of Photosynthesis
- The Practical Techniques used to Investigate Photosynthesis
- The Uses Made by Plant Cells of the Glucose Produced in Photosynthesis
☑️ Ecosystems and Human Impact on the Environment 8 topics
- Food Chains and Food Webs
- Pyramids of Numbers and Biomass
- Calculating Efficency of Energy Transfers between Trophic Levels
- Balancing Human Requirements and Needs of Wildlife
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Intensive Farming Methods
- Signs of Pollution
- Metals, Industrial Waste, Pesticides entering a Food Chain
- Effects of Untreated Sewage and Fertilisers
☑️ Classification and Biodiversity 9 topics
- Range of Sizes, Features and Complexity of Living Oragnisms
- Classifying Organisms into Groups
- Morphological and Behavioural Adaptations of Organisms
- Individual Organisms needing Resources from their Environment
- Biodiversity
- Using Quadrats to Investigate the Abundance of Species
- The Principles of Sampling
- The Principles of Capture/Recapture Techniques
- The Use of Biological Control Agents and Possible Issues
☑️ Cell Division and Stem Cells 6 topics
- Chromosomes
- Cell Division by Mitosis and Meisosis
- Outcomes of Mitotic and Meiotic Divisions
- Cancer as a Result of Uncontrolled Mitosis
- Stem Cells
- Stem Cells Replacing Damaged Tissue
☑️ DNA and Inheritance 9 topics
- The Structure of DNA
- Complementary Base Pairing between A and T, C and G
- Genetic Profiling
- DNA Profiling
- Genes as Sections of DNA Molecules
- Single Gene Inheritance
- Phenotypic Features
- Sex Determination in Humans
- Artificial Transfer of Genes from One Organism to Another
☑️ Variation and Evolution 9 topics
- Variation in Individuals of the Same Species
- Sexual Reproduction Leading to Offsprings being Different from Parents
- New Genes as a Result from Changes and Mutations in Existing Genes
- Mutations Causing Conditions which may be Passed On in Families
- Heritable Variation as the Basis of Evolution
- Characteristics Adapted to the Organism's Environment
- Natural Selection
- Ongoing Evolution as Illustrated by Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
- The Human Genome
☑️ Response and Regulation 10 topics
- Organs - Groups of Receptor Cells which Respond to Specific Stimuli
- The Nervous System
- The Properties of Reflex Actions
- The Components of a Reflex Arc
- Hormones as Chemical Messengers
- Glucose Levels
- Diabetes
- Structure of a Section through the Skin
- Principles of Negative Feedback Mechanisms
- Conditions Affected by Lifestyle Choices
☑️ Disease, Defence and Treatment 9 topics
- The Harmless Nature of Micro-organisms
- Communicable Diseases
- How Body Defends itself from Disease
- Antigens
- Vaccination
- Antibiotics
- Resistant Bacteria as a Result from the Overuse of Antibiotics
- Preventing Certain Conditions by Treatment with Drugs or Other Therapies
- New Drug Treatments
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GCSE Biology (Combined) WJEC Revision Content
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GCSE Biology (Combined) WJEC - The role of the kidneys in homeostasis - Anatomy of the Kidney and Its Function Content Preview
The role of the kidneys in homeostasis
Anatomy of the Kidney and Its Function
Anatomy of the Kidney
- The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located on either side of the spine, just below the ribs.
- Each kidney is approximately the size of a human fist.
Outer Structure of the Kidney
- Renal capsule: a tough outer covering that protects the kidney from injury.
- Adipose capsule: a layer of fat that further cushions the kidney. Each kidney is encased in this fat to keep it in place.
Inner Structure of the Kidney
- Renal cortex: the outermost part of the kidney where the initial stages of urine formation occur.
- Renal medulla: the inner part of the kidney made up of many cone-shaped sections called renal pyramids.
Kidney's Functional Unit: Nephron
- Each kidney contains around a million microscopic units called nephrons, the functional units of the kidney.
- Nephrons are involved in the formation of urine, which happens through four major processes: filtration, reabsorption, secretion, and concentration.
- Filtration: occurs in the glomerulus, a bundle of tiny blood vessels within a cup-like structure known as Bowman's capsule.
- Reabsorption: essential substances such as glucose, amino acids, and salts are reabsorbed from the fluid in the renal tubules back into the blood.
- Secretion: some waste substances are secreted from the blood into the renal tubules.
- Concentration: as the resulting fluid (now mostly waste and water) passes through the renal tubule, water is reabsorbed leaving concentrated urine.
Kidney's Role in Homeostasis
- The kidneys maintain homeostasis by regulating the volume and composition of blood, including the concentration of waste products, electrolytes, and pH level.
- They accomplish this by selectively excreting or reabsorbing different substances.
- The kidneys also regulate the body’s water balance. When the body is dehydrated, the kidneys reabsorb water into the blood to prevent its loss in the urine. On the contrary, if the body has excess water, the kidneys allow more water to be lost in the urine.
- They also produce hormones. For example, they produce erythropoietin, which stimulates the production of red blood cells. They also release renin, an enzyme that affects blood pressure.
Question: What are the four major processes involved in the formation of urine in the nephron of the kidneys, and briefly describe each one?
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