Understanding the Kidneys

What Are the Kidneys?
Your kidneys are tucked under your lower ribs on either side of your spine. Each one is about the size of your fist and shaped like a bean. Most people have two kidneys, but they work so effectively that a person can be happy and healthy with only one.

What do they do?
Your kidneys clean your blood. Each day your kidneys act like high-powered filters for about 200 quarts (189 liters) of fluid in your flowing blood. That's enough fluid to fill 100 of those big soda bottles that hold 2 liters each!

Your kidneys remove waste and excess fluid that naturally builds up in your blood after your body breaks down food. The kidneys collect that stuff and send it on to the bladder as urine (pee), so you can get rid of it when you go to the bathroom.

Besides taking out your body's "trash," your kidneys help balance your body's vitamin and mineral levels so your other organs and bones can do their best work. They help in the production of red blood cells and produce a form of vitamin D, which promotes healthy bones. If that's not enough, they help keep your blood pressure at a healthy level.

Understanding the Kidneys Choose the best answer. 1. This article is mainly about? kidney bean pie the role of the kidneys urine 2. What do the kidneys do? they clean the blood they produce jelly 3. The kidneys _________ the blood? produce talk to filter 4. The kidneys send the waste material to the ___________ bladder eye arm 5. Urine is another word for ______ pee chopped onions 6. Too much __________ can destroy the kidneys. jewelry alcohol 7. Too much _________ is also bad for the kidneys. junk food talking Press when complete. Your score: