A Professor Gave the Following Analogy of Kidney Function to His

question 57

Essay

A professor gave the following analogy of kidney function to his freshman biology class: "Imagine your desk is a disorganized mess, containing things worth keeping and things you should throw out.Instead of picking through each item one by one and considering if it is to keep or toss, you sweep your arm across your desktop in one smooth motion, knocking the entire contents of the desk into your large trash can.Then you pull the items you want to keep out of the trash can and place them back on your desk." In what ways is this analogy accurate? In what ways is it inaccurate? Some students in his class argue that the kidneys are inefficient and poorly designed.How should the professor respond? What modern medical device may he cite in his response?

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Definitions:

Black and White

A category or concept typically used in photography, art, and media to describe images or scenarios that lack color, consisting only of shades of black and white.

Cell Fractionation

The technique used to separate the components of cells by subjecting them to centrifugal force. See differential centrifugation and density gradient centrifugation.

Biochemical Techniques

methods used in biology to study the structure and function of macromolecules like proteins and nucleic acids.

Physical Separation

The process of establishing a distance or barrier between objects or individuals, often for safety, privacy, or organizational purposes.