The secretion of these compounds occurs '''only in the proximal tubules'''. These molecules are mainly bound to plasma proteins with a small amount free in an active ionised form. It is only the free ions which are able to be transported. As the ionised molecules are transported out of the blood more molecules are ionised from the plasma proteins to take their place. These new ionised molecules are then able to be excreted thus releasing more and so it goes on. This allows a large amount of the substance to be secreted at one time. The mechanisms are not very selective and so many different substances are secreted at the same time. Secretion mechanisms are responsible for the secretion of drugs, hormones and things like food additives. Many unwanted or toxic organic molecules which enter the body are unionized. They therefore cannot be secreted so it falls to the liver to alter them into ionized forms to allow them to be disposed of. | The secretion of these compounds occurs '''only in the proximal tubules'''. These molecules are mainly bound to plasma proteins with a small amount free in an active ionised form. It is only the free ions which are able to be transported. As the ionised molecules are transported out of the blood more molecules are ionised from the plasma proteins to take their place. These new ionised molecules are then able to be excreted thus releasing more and so it goes on. This allows a large amount of the substance to be secreted at one time. The mechanisms are not very selective and so many different substances are secreted at the same time. Secretion mechanisms are responsible for the secretion of drugs, hormones and things like food additives. Many unwanted or toxic organic molecules which enter the body are unionized. They therefore cannot be secreted so it falls to the liver to alter them into ionized forms to allow them to be disposed of. |