Ch. 40 - Water and Electrolyte Balance in Animals

Freeman - Biological Science 8th Edition

Freeman8th EditionBiological ScienceISBN: 9780138276263Not the one you use?Change textbook

Freeman 8th Edition

Ch. 40 - Water and Electrolyte Balance in Animals

Problem 4

Chapter 40, Problem 4

In Gila monsters, the organ in which water from urine is reabsorbed into the bloodstream is the___________. .

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the context: Gila monsters are reptiles, and like many other animals, they have a system for conserving water.

Identify the organ systems involved in water reabsorption: In many animals, the excretory system, particularly the kidneys, plays a crucial role in water reabsorption.

Consider the structure of the excretory system: In reptiles, the kidneys filter blood to form urine, and water reabsorption occurs in specific parts of the kidney.

Focus on the nephron: The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney where filtration and reabsorption occur. In many vertebrates, the loop of Henle is a key site for water reabsorption.

Conclude with the specific organ: In Gila monsters, as in other reptiles, the kidneys are responsible for reabsorbing water from urine back into the bloodstream.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Kidney Function

The kidney is a vital organ responsible for filtering blood, removing waste, and balancing electrolytes. It plays a crucial role in reabsorbing water from urine back into the bloodstream, thus maintaining fluid balance and preventing dehydration. Understanding kidney function is essential for comprehending how organisms like the Gila monster manage water retention.

Nephron Structure

Nephrons are the functional units of the kidney, consisting of a glomerulus and a tubule. They are responsible for filtering blood and reabsorbing necessary substances, including water. The loop of Henle, part of the nephron, is particularly important for concentrating urine and reabsorbing water, which is crucial for understanding how water reabsorption occurs in the kidney.

Water Reabsorption Mechanism

Water reabsorption in the kidney occurs primarily in the collecting ducts and the loop of Henle. This process is regulated by hormones like antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which increases the permeability of the ducts to water, allowing more water to be reabsorbed into the bloodstream. This mechanism is vital for maintaining homeostasis and understanding how Gila monsters conserve water.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

Which of the following statements regarding fishes that live in fresh-water is/are correct? Select True or False for each statement.

T/F Water moves across the gills via osmosis until equilibrium is established, at which time the water molecules stop moving.

T/F They lose water to their environment primarily through the gills. They replace this water by drinking.

T/F Water enters epithelial cells in their gills via osmosis. Electrolytes leave the same cells via diffusion.

T/F They have specialized epithelia that actively pump electrolytes from the environment into the blood.

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Textbook Question

Which of the following organisms would lose the most water by osmosis across its gills?

a. Marine bony fish

b. Shark

c. Freshwater fish

d. Freshwater invertebrate

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Textbook Question

What effect does antidiuretic hormone (ADH) have on the nephron?

a. It increases the water permeability of the descending limb of the loop of Henle.

b. It decreases the water permeability of the descending limb of the loop of Henle.

c. It increases the water permeability of the collecting duct.

d. It decreases the water permeability of the collecting duct.

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Textbook Question

Compare and contrast the types of nitrogenous wastes excreted by animals. Identify which type can be excreted with the least water, which is most toxic, and which waste is excreted by bony fishes, by mammals, and by insects. Which type would you expect to be produced by embryos inside eggs laid on land?

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Textbook Question

The chloride cells of fish gills have a high density of mitochondria. How does this characteristic relate to the functional role of chloride cells?

Would you expect other epithelial cells involved in ion transport to contain large numbers of mitochondria? Explain.

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Textbook Question

Explain why mammals would not be able to produce concentrated urine if their nephrons lacked loops of Henle.

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