key concept 51.6 Kidney Function Is Regulated

Several regulatory mechanisms act on the kidneys to maintain blood pressure, blood osmolarity, and blood composition. We will discuss these mechanisms separately, but keep in mind that they are always working together.

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  • Circulating renin initiates activation of angiotensin, which acts in several ways to increase blood pressure.

  • The kidney autoregulates its vascular resistance to maintain constancy of glomerular filtration rate.

  • Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) controls urine concentration in response to blood pressure and blood osmolarity.