

CBSE Class 11 Biology Notes Chapter 19: Chapter 19 of CBSE Class 11 Biology is all about how our bodies get rid of waste. It talks about the organs responsible for this, like the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. You'll learn how urine is made in the kidneys and how it's carried out of the body.
The chapter also covers how our bodies balance water and important substances, like salts, through hormones. It's not just humans—plants and other living things have ways of getting rid of waste too, and you'll learn about that too. With easy explanations and helpful pictures, you'll understand how our bodies stay clean and healthy by getting rid of waste.CBSE Class 11 Biology Notes Chapter 19 PDF
The right kidney is positioned slightly lower than the left one. Each kidney has a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface, with a notch called the hilum located in the center of the inner concave surface. The hilum serves as the entry point for the ureter, blood vessels, and nerves. Within the hilum lies the renal pelvis, a funnel-shaped space connected to calyces, which collect urine. The kidneys are further divided into the outer cortex and inner medulla.
The medulla consists of medullary pyramids, conical structures that help in urine formation. Separating these pyramids is the column of Bertini, an extension of the renal cortex. Together, these structures play a crucial role in filtering blood, removing waste, and regulating fluid balance in the body.
Urine Secretion: The final step in urine formation is secretion, where substances like potassium ions, hydrogen ions, and ammonia are released to maintain the body's ionic and acid-base balance.
Functions Of Tubules:
Proximal Convoluted Tubules (PCT): The PCT is lined with simple cuboidal brush border epithelium, providing a large surface area for reabsorption. It primarily reabsorbs electrolytes and water, contributing to the body's pH and ionic balance by secreting hydrogen ions, potassium ions, and ammonium ions into the filtrate.
Henle’s Loop: Henle's loop plays a vital role in maintaining fluid osmolarity. The ascending limb is impermeable to water but permeable to electrolytes, while the descending limb absorbs most of the water, concentrating the filtrate. Different segments of Henle's loop absorb differently, ensuring effective water and electrolyte balance.
