A human being can
survive with only one functioning kidney.
In fact, a single
kidney working at only 75% of its capacity can sustain life. Each kidney has
1.2 million nephrons, tiny tubes that filter the blood, returning nutrients to
the body and flushing away wastes. In a healthy person, each day, about 120
liters of fluid and particles enter the nephrons to be filtered.
If only one kidney
is present, that kidney can adjust to filter as much as two kidneys would
normally.
The nephrons adapt
by increasing in size. In a normal person, 1% of nephrons die every year after
the age of 40. The remaining nephrons enlarge and fully compensate for this
reduction in numbers.
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