ADH & Composition of Urine (Edexcel IGCSE Biology (Modular)): Revision Note

Osmoregulation is the maintenance of water and salt levels within the body

The nephrons have a crucial role in osmoregulation; most water absorption from the filtrate occurs from the collecting duct

The amount of water that is reabsorbed is controlled by the hormone ADH (antidiuretic hormone)

• Maintenance of body water levels is an example of negative feedback

Changes in blood water levels are detected by osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus in the brain

The hypothalamus sends signals to the pituitary gland, which releases ADH

ADH affects the permeability of the collecting duct to water

If the water potential of the blood is too high (too much water):

• The pituitary gland in the brain releases less ADH

• The collecting ducts become less permeable to water

• Less water is reabsorbed from the collecting ducts

• A larger volume of dilute urine is produced

If the water potential of the blood is too low (too little water):

• The pituitary gland in the brain releases more ADH

• The collecting ducts become more permeable to water

• More water is reabsorbed from the collecting ducts

• A smaller volume of concentrated urine is produced

Urine produced by the kidneys contains a mixture of

• urea

• excess ions

• excess water

The colour and quantity of urine produced in the body can change quickly

• Large quantities of urine are usually pale yellow in colour because it contains a lot of water and so the urea is less concentrated

• Small quantities of urine are usually darker yellow / orange in colour because it contains little water and so the urea is more concentrated

There are various reasons why the concentration of urine will change, including:

• Water intake - the more fluids drunk, the more water will be removed from the body and so a large quantity of pale yellow, dilute urine will be produced

• Temperature - the higher the temperature the more water is lost in sweat and so less will appear in the urine, meaning a smaller quantity of dark yellow, concentrated urine will be produced

• Exercise - the greater the level of exercise, the more water is lost in sweat and so less will appear in the urine, meaning a smaller quantity of dark yellow, concentrated urine will be produced