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October 21, 2025, 11:11:35 pm

Author Topic: Maintaining a Balance question - Kidneys and hormones  (Read 1248 times)  Share 

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preliminary17hsc18

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Maintaining a Balance question - Kidneys and hormones
« on: February 10, 2018, 02:46:25 pm »
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Hi,
Would anyone know how to answer these questions based on the following scenario..

Sam is working in the garden on a hot dry summer's day. She is sweating a lot, which is regulating her body temperature, but she notices that she is also losing water and salts from her body in sweat. Although she has been drinking some water, she has not had to urinate all day. When she finally urinates at the end of the day, she notices that her urine is quite dark in colour.
a. Explain why Sam has not had to urinate all day. (is this because she was sweating all day already and not drinking enough water?)
b. Why is her urine a darker colour when she finally urinates?
c. Describe what could happen if Sam continues such heavy work in hot weather over a number of days while not drinking enough water.

jasn9776

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Re: Maintaining a Balance question - Kidneys and hormones
« Reply #1 on: February 17, 2018, 10:15:20 am »
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ADH is released from the pituitary gland when dehydration occurs. This could be caused by the excessive sweating. It increases the permeability of distal tubule and collecting duct(in the nephron) to water. This causes more water to be reabsorbed into the blood. As a result, urine is more concentrated and darker in colour(since there is less water exiting the nephron into the ureter).

And yes sweating all day will decreases the amount of water her body has therefore her body needs to conserve water(and salts). She is obviously not drinking enough water but it is not enough for optimal functioning of her body. 

If sam continues to work like this, the reduced amount of salts and water will cause more ADH(responsible for increasing water reabsorption) and aldosterone(increases salt reabsorption) to be released to conserve these substances. When too much water is lost, the organs, cells and tissues fail to function as they should, which can lead to dangerous complications. If not corrected immediately, it can cause shock, low blood pressure, shriveled skin, etc. (may require hospital treatment).

TLDR: Not enough water because of sweating--->
           ADH and aldosterone released to conserve water and salt in body --->
          Concentrated urine
« Last Edit: February 18, 2018, 03:03:33 pm by jasn9776 »
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kauac

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Re: Maintaining a Balance question - Kidneys and hormones
« Reply #2 on: February 17, 2018, 10:54:40 am »
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ADH is released from the pituitary gland when dehydration occurs. This could be caused by the excessive sweating. It increases the permeability of distal tubule and collecting duct(in the nephron) to water. This causes more water to be reabsorbed into the blood. As a result, urine is more concentrated and darker in colour(since there is less water exiting the nephron). And yes sweating all day will decreases the amount of water her body has therefore her body needs to conserve water(and salts).

If sam continues to work like this, the reduced amount of salts and water will cause more ADH(responsible for increasing water reabsorption) and aldosterone(increases salt reabsorption) to be released to conserve these substances. When too much water is lost, the organs, cells and tissues fail to function as they should, which can lead to dangerous complications. If not corrected immediately, it can cause shock, low blood pressure, shriveled skin, etc. (may require hospital treatment).

Hi...
Welcome to the forums! Such a great, in-depth answer for your first post!
See you around.  ;)
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