Question

Assertion: Uraemia is harmful condition. Reason: Uraemia may lead to kidney failure

Short answer

The reason provided does assert the given statement as Uraemia can lead to kidney failure, which is indeed a harmful condition.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the terms

First of all, understand what Uraemia is. Uraemia is a severe condition that occurs when your kidneys no longer filter waste effectively, and waste builds up in your body, which can lead to serious health problems.

Interpret Assertion

The assertion is 'Uraemia is a harmful condition.' It basically means that the presence of Uraemia in a human body can lead to serious health problems.

Interpret Reason

The reason is 'Uraemia may lead to kidney failure.' It implies that Uraemia can possibly worsen into kidney failure.

Connect Assertion and Reason

Now, combining the assertion and reason, if Uraemia leads to kidney failure, and considering that kidney failure is in fact a harmful condition, then it provides a valid reason for the assertion that Uraemia indeed is a harmful condition. Therefore, the given reason does support the assertion.

Key concepts

Kidney Failure

Kidney failure, also known as renal failure, is a condition where the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste from the blood efficiently. This can have catastrophic consequences for the entire body. Normally, kidneys regulate fluid and electrolyte balance, remove waste products from the blood, and produce hormones that control various bodily functions. However, in kidney failure, toxins and excess fluids build up, leading to symptoms such as swelling, fatigue, difficulty breathing, and abnormal heart rhythms.

There are stages of kidney disease which eventually can progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), where dialysis or a kidney transplant becomes necessary to sustain life. Causes of kidney failure include diabetes, hypertension, and glomerulonephritis. Timely diagnosis and treatment are critical, which is why understanding the risks and symptoms is important for early intervention and management of the condition.

Waste Filtration

Waste filtration is a key function of the kidneys in the human body. The primary role of the kidneys is to filter out toxins, excess salts, and urea, a waste product formed through the normal breakdown of protein in the liver. The kidneys perform this vital process through a multitude of tiny filtering units called nephrons. Each nephron contains a filter (glomerulus) and a tubule. The glomerulus lets fluid and waste products pass through it; however, it prevents blood cells and large molecules, like proteins, from passing. The filtered fluid then goes through the tubule, which sends needed minerals back to the bloodstream and removes wastes.

Urea, along with water and other waste substances, forms the urine as it passes through the nephrons and down the renal tubules of the kidney. Proper waste filtration is essential for maintaining the body's equilibrium and ensuring that harmful substances are removed effectively.

Human Excretory System

The human excretory system is a crucial system in the body responsible for the elimination of waste products. It consists of a number of organs including the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra. The system works as a complex filtration mechanism where the kidneys play a starring role. Apart from the kidneys, sweat glands and the liver also contribute to waste management within the body by removing toxins from the blood and converting them into less harmful substances.

Moreover, the lungs are also considered a part of the excretory system as they expel carbon dioxide, a byproduct of cellular respiration. The coordinated work of these organs ensures the body is cleared of various wastes. An understanding of how the excretory system operates is vital because disruptions in this system can lead to various health issues, as seen with Uraemia, which demonstrates the grave impact of impaired renal function.