Interesting facts

OK to kill 2 birds with one stone (that's kind of a gruesome expression isn't it?) I'm going to write some facts here that might be of interest. Keep in mind that I have an Anatomy and Physiology lecture midterm next week that's going to cover metabolism, the urinary system, and fluids and electrolytes. Woo hoo! After this test we get to get into the good stuff, the reproductive systems!

*Appetite is not just regulated by the stomach. Insulin secreted by the pancreas, ghrelin secreted by the stomach, PYY, CCK and leptin secreted by the small intestine, leptin secreted by adipose cells and PYY secreted by the large intestine all play a role in either increasing or decreasing appetite, depending on the situation. These secretions are hormones by the way.

*The kidneys have a LOT of functions besides just making pee. Please note that making pee is not a scientific expression! The kidneys filter our blood plasma, which is a way of getting the waste out that will eventually become urine. They also regulate the osmolarity of our body fluids, our blood volume and blood pressure, they secrete hormones (renin and erythropoietin), detoxify free radicals and drugs, and finally they stimulate making glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors. This process is called gluconeogenesis.

*My favorite new body part=juxtamedullary nephron!

*Total body water for a young, 150 pound male= 40 liters!

*Hypernatremia is when there is too much sodium in the blood. Hyponatremia is when there is too little sodium in the blood.

*Potassium is really important. Eat your Special K!

Am I ready for this test...ummmmm no. But now I'll remember all this stuff and you all just learned some new things too.