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Britain & the wider world: 1745 -1901
1l the quest for political stability: germany, 1871-1991
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2d religious conflict and the church in england, c1529-c1570
2o democracy and nazism: germany, 1918-1945
1f industrialisation and the people: britain, c1783-1885
1c the tudors: england, 1485-1603
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Biology
1 Dec 2025
34
2 pages
georgia @georgiamay
Your kidneys are amazing organs that work 24/7 to keep your body's water levels perfectly balanced and remove... Show more
Ever wondered what's actually inside those bean-shaped organs in your back? The kidney has three main layers that each play vital roles in keeping you healthy.
The tough capsule forms the outer protective membrane, acting like a shield to maintain the kidney's shape and prevent damage. Just beneath this lies the cortex, the outer working region where most of the filtering action begins.
Deep inside, you'll find the medulla - the inner part where the final stages of urine concentration happen. Blood flows in through the renal artery and exits via the renal vein, whilst the finished urine travels down the ureter to your bladder.
Key Fact Each kidney contains approximately one million microscopic filtering units called nephrons - that's like having a million tiny water treatment plants working inside you!
Your body's got an incredibly clever system for controlling exactly how much urine you produce, and it all starts in your brain. The hypothalamus constantly monitors your blood's water levels as it flows through your head.
When your blood becomes too concentrated (you're getting dehydrated), your pituitary gland releases more ADH . This hormone travels through your bloodstream to your kidneys, where it makes the collecting ducts more permeable to water.
The result? Your kidney tubules reabsorb more water back into your blood, producing less concentrated urine. When you're well-hydrated, less ADH is released, so more water gets filtered out as dilute urine.
Each nephron contains a Bowman's capsule, glomerulus (a ball of capillaries), and the Loop of Henle that dips down into the medulla. Blood enters under high pressure from the renal artery, and this pressure forces small molecules like water, glucose, salts and urea through the capillary walls - a process called ultrafiltration.
Remember This whole process is a negative feedback loop - your body automatically adjusts to maintain perfect water balance without you having to think about it!
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
0
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Explore the structure and function of the human excretory system, including the kidneys, urinary system, and the role of ADH in osmoregulation. This summary covers key concepts such as nephron structure, ultrafiltration, selective reabsorption, and the composition of urine. Ideal for Edexcel IGCSE Biology students preparing for exams.
BiologyExplore the essential roles of kidneys in filtering blood, regulating water and ion levels, and the process of deamination. This summary covers nephron structure, filtration, selective reabsorption, and the role of ADH in maintaining homeostasis. Ideal for GCSE biology students.
BiologyExplore the mechanisms of kidney function, focusing on the Loop of Henle, osmoregulation, and the role of ADH in maintaining water balance. This summary covers key concepts such as hypertonic urine, aquaporins, and negative feedback in homeostasis, essential for AQA A level biology.
BiologyExplore the essential roles of the kidneys in the excretory system, including the processes of ultrafiltration, reabsorption, and waste release. This summary covers key concepts such as nephron structure, osmoregulation, and the formation of urine, providing a clear understanding of kidney function for students.
BiologyExplore the stages of mitosis, including prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. This summary details the cell cycle, DNA replication, and the formation of genetically identical daughter cells. Ideal for A-level Biology students seeking to understand cell division and its significance in growth and tissue repair.
BiologyExplore the essential mechanisms of homeostasis in the human body, including the roles of receptors, coordination centers, and effectors. This summary covers key concepts such as negative feedback, blood glucose regulation, and temperature control, providing a clear understanding of how the body maintains optimal conditions for cellular function. Ideal for GCSE Biology students.
BiologyApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
georgia
@georgiamay
Your kidneys are amazing organs that work 24/7 to keep your body's water levels perfectly balanced and remove waste products. Understanding how they filter blood and control urine production is crucial for your biology exams and helps explain why staying... Show more
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Ever wondered what's actually inside those bean-shaped organs in your back? The kidney has three main layers that each play vital roles in keeping you healthy.
The tough capsule forms the outer protective membrane, acting like a shield to maintain the kidney's shape and prevent damage. Just beneath this lies the cortex, the outer working region where most of the filtering action begins.
Deep inside, you'll find the medulla - the inner part where the final stages of urine concentration happen. Blood flows in through the renal artery and exits via the renal vein, whilst the finished urine travels down the ureter to your bladder.
Key Fact: Each kidney contains approximately one million microscopic filtering units called nephrons - that's like having a million tiny water treatment plants working inside you!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Your body's got an incredibly clever system for controlling exactly how much urine you produce, and it all starts in your brain. The hypothalamus constantly monitors your blood's water levels as it flows through your head.
When your blood becomes too concentrated (you're getting dehydrated), your pituitary gland releases more ADH . This hormone travels through your bloodstream to your kidneys, where it makes the collecting ducts more permeable to water.
The result? Your kidney tubules reabsorb more water back into your blood, producing less concentrated urine. When you're well-hydrated, less ADH is released, so more water gets filtered out as dilute urine.
Each nephron contains a Bowman's capsule, glomerulus (a ball of capillaries), and the Loop of Henle that dips down into the medulla. Blood enters under high pressure from the renal artery, and this pressure forces small molecules like water, glucose, salts and urea through the capillary walls - a process called ultrafiltration.
Remember: This whole process is a negative feedback loop - your body automatically adjusts to maintain perfect water balance without you having to think about it!
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
0
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Explore the structure and function of the human excretory system, including the kidneys, urinary system, and the role of ADH in osmoregulation. This summary covers key concepts such as nephron structure, ultrafiltration, selective reabsorption, and the composition of urine. Ideal for Edexcel IGCSE Biology students preparing for exams.
BiologyExplore the essential roles of kidneys in filtering blood, regulating water and ion levels, and the process of deamination. This summary covers nephron structure, filtration, selective reabsorption, and the role of ADH in maintaining homeostasis. Ideal for GCSE biology students.
BiologyExplore the mechanisms of kidney function, focusing on the Loop of Henle, osmoregulation, and the role of ADH in maintaining water balance. This summary covers key concepts such as hypertonic urine, aquaporins, and negative feedback in homeostasis, essential for AQA A level biology.
BiologyExplore the essential roles of the kidneys in the excretory system, including the processes of ultrafiltration, reabsorption, and waste release. This summary covers key concepts such as nephron structure, osmoregulation, and the formation of urine, providing a clear understanding of kidney function for students.
BiologyExplore the stages of mitosis, including prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. This summary details the cell cycle, DNA replication, and the formation of genetically identical daughter cells. Ideal for A-level Biology students seeking to understand cell division and its significance in growth and tissue repair.
BiologyExplore the essential mechanisms of homeostasis in the human body, including the roles of receptors, coordination centers, and effectors. This summary covers key concepts such as negative feedback, blood glucose regulation, and temperature control, providing a clear understanding of how the body maintains optimal conditions for cellular function. Ideal for GCSE Biology students.
BiologyApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Sociology