Ask A Scientist© Biology Archive

Author:      durwood
Text:        What material is urine composed of?

=========================================================

Author:      psych
Text:        Urine is normally composed of water and wasted products filtered 
form the body.  The kidney produces urine.  The other main function of the 
kidney is to regulate fluid balance in the body.  It performs this function by 
using a selective osmosis system.  Basically, the way it works is that 
electrolytes (dissolved salts like sodium, potassium, calcium, carbonate, 
chloride) are pumped back into or out of urine and blood so that in the end, 
just the right amounts of electrolyte and water exit the kidney blood vein.  
The rest ends up in urine.  Interestingly, normal urine is sterile and has no 
bacteria.

=========================================================

Author:      wiz kid
Text:        Urine contains 95% water and 5% solids.  More than 1000 different 
mineral salts and compounds are estimated to be in urine.  So far, our 
scientific community knows of about 200 elements.  Some substances are:  
vitamins, amino acids, antibodies, enzymes, hormones, antigens, interleukins, 
proteins, immunoglobulins, gastric secretory depressants, tolergens, 
immunogens, uric acid, urea, proteoses, directin, H-11 (a growth inhibitory 
factor in human cancer), and urokinase.  Believe it or not, scientists have 
know for years that urine is antibacterial, anti-protozoal, anti-fungal, anti-
viral, and anti-tuberculostatic! 

(Update April, 2000)

it is either anti-tuberculous or tuberculostatic. "Anti-tuberculostatic" would mean that it counters tuberculostatic (stopping the growth of tubercle bacilli) effect.


L.B. Sandy Rock, MD, MPH
=========================================================