1. Filtration: The kidneys filter waste products, excess ions, and water from the blood to form urine.
2. Regulation of blood pressure: The kidneys help regulate blood pressure by controlling the volume of blood and the concentration of electrolytes in the blood.
3. Regulation of electrolyte balance: The kidneys help maintain the balance of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and calcium in the body.
4. Regulation of acid-base balance: The kidneys help regulate the pH balance of the blood by excreting hydrogen ions and reabsorbing bicarbonate ions.
5. Production of hormones: The kidneys produce hormones such as erythropoietin, which stimulates the production of red blood cells, and renin, which helps regulate blood pressure.
6. Regulation of fluid balance: The kidneys help regulate the balance of fluids in the body by adjusting the amount of water excreted in urine.
7. Removal of waste products: The kidneys remove waste products such as urea, creatinine, and uric acid from the blood and excrete them in urine.
8. Regulation of blood glucose levels: The kidneys help regulate blood glucose levels by reabsorbing glucose from the urine back into the blood when needed.
9. Detoxification: The kidneys help detoxify the body by filtering out harmful substances and excreting them in urine.
10. Regulation of red blood cell production: The kidneys produce erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow.