Kidney Homeostasis
By: Marion Paxton and Rosanna Parise
Lesson Sequence

Lesson 1: Kidney Structure and Function

Lesson 2: The Nephron: Filtration and Reabsorption

Lesson 3: Homeostasis: Feedback Mechanisms

Lesson 4: Lab: The Physiological Effects of Coffee

Lesson 5: Kidney Transplant Article and Case Study
Introduction: The Kidney

Main function: to filter the blood to
remove waste products and to adjust salt
concentrations in the blood

Associated with the excretion of cellular
wastes (urea, uric acid, creatinine)
The Kidney Cont’d

Composed of 3
sections:
◦ Outer cortex
◦ Medulla
◦ Inner pelvis
Kidney Cont’d

In the cortex and medulla, there are
about 1,000,000 nephrons – these act as
filters and are composed of:
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Bowman’s capsule
The glomerulus
Proximal tubule
The loop of Henle
Distal tubule
Collecting duct
Picture of the nephron on next slide
The Kidney Nephron
The Kidney Cont’d

Please go to the following interactive site
to learn more about the kidney:
http://www.biologymad.com/resources/kidney.swf
The Kidney Cont’d

Homeostatic mechanisms are in place to
control the levels of water and
electrolytes in the blood

One very important hormone involved in
this is called Antidiuretic Hormone
(ADH)
Lesson 1: Introduction to the Kidney:
Structure and Function

KWL Chart – have students fill in KW now and L
after lesson 5 (self assessment)
Intro Video:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxb2_d9ilEw


Group work:
◦ Provide students with basic diagram – have them fill
in the name of each structure
◦ Then, they will complete a T chart on the structure
and function of the following: kidney, renal veins,
renal arteries, urinary bladder, urethra
Lesson 2: The Kidney Nephron:
Filtration and Re-absorption
Lesson 2: The Kidney Nephron:
Filtration and Re-absorption

Teacher demo on passive transport

Youtube video:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glu0dzK4dbU
Interactive Site:

http://www.biologymad.com/resources/kidney.swf
• Role play exercise where students are the filtrate and
classroom desks are arranged as the nephron
• Worksheet:
•
http://www.biologycorner.com/anatomy/urinary/kidney_coloring.html
Lesson 3:
Homeostasis: Feedback Mechanisms
Lesson 3:
Homeostasis: Feedback Mechanisms

Quick review of the nephron – quiz

Introduce hormone ADH and ADH
feedback loop (refer to picture – slide 14)

Have students read about this feedback
loop in pairs – pg 117 (McGraw Hill
Biology 12)
Lesson 3:
Homeostasis: Feedback Mechanisms

Students work in groups to come up with
a way to demonstrate the ADH feedback
loop to their peers

Assign homework questions
from textbook – to be taken
up next day:
 Pg 120 Q’s 4-6
 Pg 134 Q’s 7, 12
Lesson 4: Lab
The Physiological Effects of Coffee

For this lab, students will design an
experiment that allows them to
investigate one physiological effect of
consuming coffee (e.g. Effects on blood
pressure, urine output, etc.)

Refer to Word document
for a more detailed description
of this lab
Lesson 4 Lab:
Safety Considerations

It may not be appropriate for some students
to participate as subjects in the Physiological
Effects of Coffee Lab due to health concerns

As students design their
experiments, be sure to
consult with each group
to make sure that they
don’t exceed their
coffee intake
Lesson 5:
Kidney Transplant Article and Case Study

Students use an anticipation guide to read an article about
kidney transplants in Canada.

4 corners strategy used to discuss opinions

A class debate about steroid use and kidney disease in
body builders will follow. Refer to the following article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/10/sports/10stero
ids.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=steroids&st=cse

Peer and self assessment
Assessment and Evaluation

Lesson 1: KWL Chart – diagnostic and form of
self assessment

Lesson 2: Nephron Worksheet

Lesson 3: Group presentations and textbook
questions

Lesson 4: Lab Report

Lesson 5: Anticipation guide; peer and selfassessment
Student Difficulties

Difficulty:
◦ Students may have difficulty understanding how and why
different substances enter and leave the kidney tubule.

Rectification
◦ Have students watch the youtube video on the function
of the nephron and allow students to use the interactive
website to see where different substances enter and
leave the nephron.
◦ Youtube video:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glu0dzK4dbU
◦ Interactive website:
 http://www.biologymad.com/resources/kidney.swf
**Note: Refer to summary handout for other rectifications.**
Student Difficulties cont’d

Difficulty:
◦ Some students may have trouble understanding the
feedback mechanism involved in controlling urine
output.

Rectification
◦ Use a flow chart to help students visualize the
feedback mechanism.
◦ Group weaker students with stronger students
during the problem solving activity.
Demonstration

Passive Transport Lab
◦ Students will observe passive transport of a
substance across a membrane
Practical Applications

Effects of steroid use on kidney functioning

Kidney transplants, dialysis and organ
harvesting

Effects of alcohol and caffeine on kidney
homeostasis

Chronic renal diseases
Resources

Please refer to our summary for a list of
the resources used to create this
presentation
Thank you for being a part of our
presentation!