Approximately how much filtered plasma can the kidneys convert into urine?

The kidneys filter a substantial volume of plasma each day, and this process is essential for maintaining homeostasis in the body. On average, the kidneys filter about 180 liters (or 180,000 mL) of plasma daily. However, not all of this filtered plasma is excreted as urine. In fact, the kidneys reabsorb a significant portion of the filtered fluid back into the bloodstream.

Typically, the amount of urine produced by healthy kidneys is around 1 to 2 liters per day, which is a small fraction of the total filtered plasma. The correct answer of approximately 170,000 mL aligns with the expected quantity of plasma filtered daily by the kidneys, highlighting the efficiency of the renal system in reabsorbing water and solutes. This conversion reflects the kidneys' capability to manage bodily fluids and electrolytes effectively while still filtering out waste products for excretion. Thus, while 200,000 mL is close, it slightly exceeds the estimated daily filtration, making 170,000 mL the most accurate representation of the kidneys’ filtration capacity.