Just Passing Through
Figure 1. The kidneys are the main organs of the body's excretory system.Copyright 2004 Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399 USA. All rights reserved.
This lesson helps students explore the functions of the kidney and its place in the urinary system. Students learn how engineers design instruments to help people when kidneys are not functioning properly or when environmental conditions change, such as kidney function in space.
Kidneys have a very important function in the human body because they are responsible for filtering out waste. When the kidneys fail, a special machine called a dialysis machine can be used to take over the job of the kidneys by extracting urea and salt wastes from the blood. Engineers designed this machine, and they also designed the systems that allow astronauts to go to the bathroom in outer space.
- After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Identify major features of the excretory system.
- Explain the role of the kidney.
- Describe how engineers help people whose kidneys are not working properly.
- Explain how astronauts go to the bathroom in outer space.