Which organ is responsible for regulating acid-base balance, blood pressure, water balance, and nitrogen waste removal?

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Ace the MCAT Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems Exam. Prepare with flashcards, multiple choice questions, and detailed explanations. Boost your confidence and excel in your test!

The kidney is the organ responsible for regulating acid-base balance, blood pressure, water balance, and nitrogen waste removal. It performs several critical functions that are essential for maintaining homeostasis in the body.

In terms of acid-base balance, the kidneys help maintain the pH of the blood by excreting hydrogen ions and reabsorbing bicarbonate from urine. This process is vital in preventing acidosis or alkalosis.

When it comes to blood pressure regulation, kidneys play a crucial role through the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). When blood pressure drops, the kidneys release renin, which initiates a cascade that ultimately leads to increased blood volume and vascular resistance, thereby raising blood pressure.

The kidneys also regulate water balance by adjusting the volume of water excreted in urine. Through mechanisms involving antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and aldosterone, the kidneys can either conserve water or increase its excretion based on the body's hydration status.

Lastly, the kidneys are key in nitrogen waste removal. They filter the blood to remove urea and creatinine, which are byproducts of protein metabolism, and eliminate them from the body through urine.

Thus, the kidney is essential for these physiological regulatory functions, undersc

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