What does ADH do in the Kidney?

ADH or Anti Diuretic Hormone is a hormone that regulates the amount of water absorbed in the kidney. It acts on the collecting duct of the kidney, which is the last part of the nephron (a single functional unit of the kidney). There are around 1 million nephrons in each kidney! Its role is to control the reabsorption of water. It does this by inserting more aquaporins into the membrane of the collecting duct. These aquaporins allow water to be reabsorbed into the capillaries. As a result the urine passed out increases in concentration (less water, same number of solutes) and hence ADH gets its name from this - Anti Diuretic (reducing urine production). ADH is also known as Vasopressin. When we are thirsty or our body does not have enough water, this is detected and more ADH is secreted so we try to retain as much water as we have. The opposite occurs, when we are well hydrated.

JH
Answered by Julia H. Biology tutor

5489 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

Explain why an artery may be described as an organ.


Describe how mRNA is produced in the nucleus of a cell.


How is blood glucose concentration regulated, with reference to insulin, glucagon and the liver?


Describe how the coronary arteries can become narrowed and explain how this can lead to a heart attack.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences