What waste products do kidneys filter from the blood?

Kidneys filter waste products such as urea, uric acid, creatinine, and excess salts from the blood.

The kidneys are vital organs in the human body that perform several crucial functions, one of which is the filtration of waste products from the blood. This process is essential for maintaining the body's homeostasis, or balance of bodily functions.

The primary waste products filtered by the kidneys are urea, uric acid, and creatinine. Urea is a waste product formed from the breakdown of proteins and amino acids. It is produced in the liver and transported to the kidneys via the bloodstream. Uric acid is another waste product, formed from the breakdown of nucleic acids. Creatinine is a waste product of muscle metabolism.

In addition to these waste products, kidneys also filter out excess salts and water. The body needs a certain amount of salts, or electrolytes, for proper function. However, too much can lead to problems such as high blood pressure. The kidneys help regulate the body's salt balance by filtering out any excess from the blood.

The filtration process occurs in tiny units within the kidneys called nephrons. Each kidney contains about a million nephrons, and each nephron is capable of filtering the blood independently. The waste products and excess water filtered by the nephrons form urine, which is then excreted from the body.

In summary, the kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining the body's homeostasis by filtering out waste products such as urea, uric acid, creatinine, and excess salts from the blood. This process is vital for the body's overall health and function.