What is the primary function of the kidneys?

What is the primary function of the kidneys?

• A. Produce hormones
• B. Filter wastes from blood
• C. Regulate blood sugar
• D. Store bile

Answer: (B)

The primary function of the kidneys is to filter wastes from the blood, which plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis in the body. The kidneys are responsible for excreting waste products and excess substances, such as urea, creatinine, and water, through urine. This filtering process helps to regulate the body’s fluid balance, electrolyte levels, and acid-base balance, ensuring that the internal environment remains stable despite changes in diet or activity levels. While the kidneys do produce hormones such as erythropoietin (which stimulates red blood cell production) and renin (which helps regulate blood pressure), their most critical and primary role is waste filtration. The regulation of blood sugar is primarily the function of the pancreas, and storing bile is associated with the gallbladder, not the kidneys. Therefore, the correct choice points to the essential filtering function that is vital for detoxifying the blood and maintaining overall bodily function.

The primary function of the kidneys is to filter wastes from the blood, which plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis in the body. The kidneys are responsible for excreting waste products and excess substances, such as urea, creatinine, and water, through urine. This filtering process helps to regulate the body’s fluid balance, electrolyte levels, and acid-base balance, ensuring that the internal environment remains stable despite changes in diet or activity levels.

While the kidneys do produce hormones such as erythropoietin (which stimulates red blood cell production) and renin (which helps regulate blood pressure), their most critical and primary role is waste filtration. The regulation of blood sugar is primarily the function of the pancreas, and storing bile is associated with the gallbladder, not the kidneys. Therefore, the correct choice points to the essential filtering function that is vital for detoxifying the blood and maintaining overall bodily function.