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Why do whales have a larger loop of henle

An A2 biology question on the subject of the kidney asks why whales have a longer loop of henle and how the kidneys are adapted to remove urea from the blood. Im stuck could anyone please explain this???
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Avatar for Lighfy
Lighfy
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Original post by daniela1998
An A2 biology question on the subject of the kidney asks why whales have a longer loop of henle and how the kidneys are adapted to remove urea from the blood. Im stuck could anyone please explain this???


A longer loop of Henle means that a greater volume of water will be re-absorbed into the blood stream, mainly via the collecting duct. Does this help?

For the ways in which the kidneys are adapted...think about the structure of the Bowman's capsule. You could also mention the fenestrations in the renal artery/glomerulus in the Bowman's capsule, however this isn't really an effective barrier.
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Avatar for daniela1998
daniela1998
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Thankyou!


Posted from TSR Mobile
Because Biology is an awful subject
(edited 8 years ago)
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Avatar for Daxen
Daxen
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Original post by daniela1998
An A2 biology question on the subject of the kidney asks why whales have a longer loop of henle and how the kidneys are adapted to remove urea from the blood. Im stuck could anyone please explain this???


Whales would have a longer loop of Henle because they ingest large quantities of salt water with a low water potential. The other role of the loop of Henle is not just to remove urea from the blood, but also to control the selective reabsorption of ions and solutes, such as those present in sea water - this could ensure that urine has a low water potential, containing the maximum amount of solutes for excretion. Hope this makes sense?
Original post by Daxen
Whales would have a longer loop of Henle because they ingest large quantities of salt water with a low water potential. The other role of the loop of Henle is not just to remove urea from the blood, but also to control the selective reabsorption of ions and solutes, such as those present in sea water - this could ensure that urine has a low water potential, containing the maximum amount of solutes for excretion. Hope this makes sense?


No actually i think it is to do with the fact biology is awful m8
Reply 6
Avatar for daniela1998
daniela1998
OP
Original post by Daxen
Whales would have a longer loop of Henle because they ingest large quantities of salt water with a low water potential. The other role of the loop of Henle is not just to remove urea from the blood, but also to control the selective reabsorption of ions and solutes, such as those present in sea water - this could ensure that urine has a low water potential, containing the maximum amount of solutes for excretion. Hope this makes sense?

yes it does thankyou!

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