BRAINCAKEAdaptations
Mammals that live in different habitats have kidneys adapted to the amount of water available. The key feature is the length of the loop of Henle.
A longer loop of Henle can build up a greater concentration of ions in the medulla (a lower water potential), because the countercurrent multiplier works over a longer distance. More water can then be reabsorbed from the collecting duct, so the urine can be more concentrated. To hold long loops, the medulla must be thick, so the relative medullary thickness (the thickness of the medulla compared with the size of the kidney) is a good predictor of how concentrated an animal's urine can be.
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Key terms in this lesson
- relative medullary thickness
- The thickness of the kidney medulla compared with the overall size of the kidney, used to predict maximum urine concentration.
- metabolic water
- Water produced within the body as a product of respiration.
More in Homeostasis
- Countercurrent Multiplier
- Distal Convoluted Tubule
- Collecting Duct
- Urine
- Control of Osmoregulation
- ADH
- Negative Feedback Control
- Extra Feedback
All 41 lessons in Homeostasis · All Edexcel A-level Biology topics