Filtration

• Filtration is a crucial process in the kidneys which helps in the excretion of waste products.
• It is the primary step in urine production, and occurs in the Bowman’s capsule located in the kidney nephrons.
• Blood is forced, under high pressure, against the capillary walls of the Bowman’s capsule.
• The small molecules such as water, glucose, salts and urea get filtered through the walls, and this forms the filtrate. This process is known as ultrafiltration.
• The larger molecules such as proteins and cells are too large to be filtered and thus remain in the blood vessels.
• Filtration in kidneys is responsible for removing the unwanted substances from the blood.
• Approximately 180 litres of blood are filtered by the kidneys daily to generate around 1-2 litres of urine.
• Filtration in the kidneys is an involuntary process, meaning it doesn’t require conscious effort to occur.
• The rate of filtration may vary depending on the blood pressure and health of the kidneys.
• Abnormalities in kidney filtration can lead to various medical problems such as kidney stones and kidney failure. Regular check-ups can help maintain good kidney health.
• In summary, filtration is a crucial process in our bodies that allows kidneys to philtre out waste from the bloodstream and maintain overall homeostasis.