How can diuretics be used to decrease blood pressure?

Diuretics can reduce the amount of Na+ that is reabsorbed by the nephron (leads to excretion of more salt and water in the urine)
The reabsorption of Na+ from the kidney tubule back into the capillaries lowers the water potential of the medulla. This drives the reabsorption of water from the kidney tubule via osmosis. If the amount of sodium reabsorbed is decreased, then the amount of water reabsorbed will also decrease. This means more water will be removed from the body in the urine, lowering the water content of the blood. This in turn will reduce blood volume and therefore blood pressure.

Answered by Kimran Kaur S. Biology tutor

3001 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

Messenger RNA (mRNA) is used during translation to form polypeptides. Describe how mRNA is produced in the nucleus of the cell. (6 marks)


Describe the cardiac cycle (7 marks)


Describe the process of mRNA formation


Skeletal muscle is one of the main tissues where glucose is removed from the blood in response to insulin. Name one other:


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences