Reabsorption vs. Resorption

Main Difference

The main difference between Reabsorption and Resorption is that the Reabsorption is a the process of absorbing again and Resorption is a the process of losing substance.

• Reabsorption

  In renal physiology, reabsorption or tubular reabsorption is the process by which the nephron removes water and solutes from the tubular fluid (pre-urine) and returns them to the circulating blood. It is called reabsorption (and not absorption) both because these substances have already been absorbed once (particularly in the intestines) and because the body is reclaiming them from a postglomerular fluid stream that is well on its way to becoming urine (that is, they will soon be lost to the urine unless they are reclaimed). Substances are reabsorbed from the tubule into the peritubular capillaries. This happens as a result of sodium transport from the lumen into the blood by the Na+/K+ATPase in the basolateral membrane of the epithelial cells. Thus, the glomerular filtrate becomes more concentrated, which is one of the steps in forming urine. Reabsorption allows many useful solutes (primarily glucose and amino acids), salts and water that have passed through Bowman’s capsule, to return to the circulation. These solutes are reabsorbed isotonically, in that the osmotic potential of the fluid leaving the proximal convoluted tubule is the same as that of the initial glomerular filtrate. However, glucose, amino acids, inorganic phosphate, and some other solutes are reabsorbed via secondary active transport through cotransport channels driven by the sodium gradient.

  Renin–angiotensin system:

  The kidneys sense low blood pressure.

  Release renin into the blood.

  Renin causes production of angiotensin I.

  Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II.

  Angiotensin II stimulates the release of aldosterone, ADH, and thirst.

  Aldosterone causes kidneys to reabsorb sodium; ADH increases the uptake of water.

  Water follows sodium.

  As blood volume increases, pressure also increases.

  Also one can take reabsorption as “the process of absorbing again”.

• Resorption

  Resorption is the absorption into the circulatory system of cells or tissue.

  Types include:

  Bone resorption

  Tooth resorption

  Vanishing twin, also known as fetal resorption. Resorption can be taken as “the process of losing substance” and examples are:

  • Bone resorption
  • Tooth resorption