Another hormone that regulates urine formation is the steroid hormone aldosterone. Aldosterone is secreted in response to low extracellular sodium and acts on the distal tubule to increase the resorption of sodium from the urinary filtrate. The resorption of sodium causes water to be removed from the filtrate by osmosis as well, reducing the urine volume and increasing the volume of the extracellular fluids of the body. Aldosterone is another means the body can use to conserve water as well as sodium.
This animation (Audio - Important) describes hormonal regulation.
The Concentrating Urine - The Mammalian Kidney Tutorial provides an excellent explanation of kidney function.
REVIEW: The basic functional unit of the mammalian kidney filters the blood and actively secretes
and resorbs specific solute molecules. What is the name of this unit?
REVIEW: In the nephron, the glomerulus filters blood, after which the filtrate - water and
solutes - enters Bowman/s capsule. From Bowman's capsule, the filtrate passes through several
regions of a long tubule. Out of which region are most of the solutes and water removed from the
tubule?
REVIEW: Does the loop of Henle concentrate urine?
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