Final answer:
Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment by the body. Kidneys contribute to homeostasis by managing water and electrolyte balance, regulating blood pressure, controlling blood pH, and producing hormones.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term homeostasis refers to the maintenance of a stable internal environment within the body. The kidneys play a crucial role in this process by managing the plasma composition. Not only do the kidneys filter blood to produce urine, but they also regulate water and electrolyte balance, maintain normal blood pressure, control blood pH levels, and secrete important hormones.
By adjusting the absorption and secretion of water, salt ions, acids, or bases, the kidneys ensure that these substances are either returned to the blood or excreted in urine to maintain homeostasis. The kidneys' ability to regulate the osmolarity of the blood by controlling solutes and water is essential in preventing imbalances that can lead to health issues. Furthermore, kidneys are involved in the synthesis of active vitamin D, the production of erythropoietin (EPO), and they participate in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, affecting blood pressure regulation.