Urinary System: Nephrons and Circulation

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Questions and Answers

What percentage of nephrons in the human kidney are classified as cortical nephrons?

  • 35%
  • 55%
  • 15%
  • 85% (correct)

Which characteristic primarily distinguishes juxtamedullary nephrons from cortical nephrons?

  • Their exclusive presence in the renal cortex.
  • Their nephron loops extend deep into the medulla. (correct)
  • Their shorter nephron loops.
  • Their limited role in urine concentration.

What is the primary function of the vasa recta in the juxtamedullary nephrons?

  • To facilitate water reabsorption and maintain the medullary gradient. (correct)
  • To secrete hormones that regulate blood pressure.
  • To supply nutrients to the renal cortex.
  • To directly filter blood entering the nephron.

After blood passes through the glomerulus, which vessel does it enter next in cortical nephron circulation?

<p>The peritubular capillaries. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the functional significance of the peritubular capillaries surrounding the proximal and distal convoluted tubules?

<p>They facilitate the exchange of water and solutes during reabsorption and secretion. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a patient's renal artery is severely constricted, which of the following direct effects would be most likely?

<p>Decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR). (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what order does blood flow through the following vessels in the kidney? (1) Afferent arteriole (2) Cortical radiate artery (3) Glomerulus (4) Efferent arteriole

<p>2, 1, 3, 4 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which kidney function is most directly related to the maintenance of blood pressure?

<p>Regulation of blood volume and osmolarity. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do the kidneys contribute to the regulation of electrolyte and acid-base balance in the body?

<p>By adjusting the excretion and reabsorption of electrolytes and acids. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What hormonal function of the kidney directly stimulates red blood cell production?

<p>Release of erythropoietin. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During periods of prolonged starvation, the kidneys can synthesize glucose from amino acids and other precursors. What is this process called?

<p>Gluconeogenesis (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of urine formation, what does glomerular filtration primarily accomplish?

<p>Bulk, non-selective removal of fluid and solutes from the blood. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which substances are typically reabsorbed during tubular reabsorption in the nephron?

<p>Glucose, amino acids, and vitamins. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of tubular secretion in the process of urine formation?

<p>To eliminate additional wastes and toxins from the blood that were not filtered. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is normal at 180 L/day, but urine production is only 1-2 L/day, what process accounts for the significant difference in volume?

<p>Tubular reabsorption (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which segment of the nephron does the majority of reabsorption occur?

<p>Proximal Convoluted Tubule (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the descending limb of the loop of Henle?

<p>Reabsorption of water (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What substance is reabsorbed in the ascending limb of the nephron loop?

<p>Sodium ions and other electrolytes (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the collecting duct in urine formation?

<p>Reabsorption of water and urea (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following equations best represents the overall process of urinary excretion?

<p>Excretion = Filtration - Reabsorption + Secretion (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a patient is diagnosed with damage to the peritubular capillaries, what direct effect would this have on kidney function?

<p>Impaired reabsorption and secretion due to reduced exchange between the filtrate and blood. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How would a significant decrease in the production of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) affect urine formation?

<p>It would decrease the permeability of the collecting duct to water, increasing urine volume. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A patient's blood test reveals elevated levels of creatinine. What does this typically indicate about kidney function?

<p>Decreased glomerular filtration rate. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a drug inhibits the reabsorption of sodium ions in the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), what is the likely outcome regarding urine volume and blood pressure?

<p>Increased urine volume and decreased blood pressure. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Cortical Nephrons

Nephrons mainly in the cortex; short nephron loops.

Juxtamedullary Nephrons

Nephrons with long loops deep in the medulla; concentrate urine.

Peritubular Capillaries (Cortical)

The efferent arteriole branches into these vessels surrounding the PCT and DCT.

Vasa Recta

Capillaries around nephron loop of juxtamedullary nephrons.

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Kidney Function: Filtration

Filtering blood to excrete wastes, hormones, and drugs.

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Kidney Function: Regulation

Regulating blood volume, blood pressure, osmolarity, and electrolyte and acid-base balance.

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Kidney Function: Endocrine

Erythropoietin (RBC production), Calcitriol (Calcium homeostasis), and Renin (Increases BP).

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Kidney Function: Gluconeogenesis

When the kidneys synthesize glucose from non-carbohydrate sources during prolonged fasting.

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Glomerular Filtration

It forms a plasma-like filtrate from blood.

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Tubular Reabsorption

Removes useful solutes from the filtrate, returning them to the blood.

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Tubular Secretion

Removes additional wastes from the blood, adding them to the filtrate.

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Water Conservation

Removes water from the urine and returns it to the blood.

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Study Notes

  • Study notes for chapter 23 part 2, focusing on the urinary system

Arrangement of Nephrons

  • There are two kinds of nephrons: cortical and juxtamedullary

Cortical Nephrons

  • Comprise 85% of all nephrons
  • Characterized by their short length
  • Primarily located in the cortex of the kidney

Juxtamedullary Nephrons

  • Have a long nephron loop that extends deep into the medulla
  • Play a crucial role in concentrating urine, leading to water retention

Cortical Nephron Circulation

  • The efferent arteriole branches into a plexus of vessels
  • Peritubular capillaries surround the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) and distal convoluted tubule (DCT)

Juxtamedullary Nephron Circulation

  • The efferent arteriole forms capillaries around the nephron loop called the vasa recta
  • This is in addition to the peritubular capillaries

Renal Circulation

  • Blood flows from the Aorta into the Renal artery
  • From there it goes into the Segmental artery, then Interlobar artery, and then Arcuate artery
  • Next the blood flows into the Cortical radiate artery and Afferent arteriole
  • After passing through the Glomerulus, blood enters the Efferent arteriole
  • From the Efferent arteriole, blood goes into the Peritubular capillaries or Vasa recta, and then to the Cortical radiate vein
  • Blood makes it way into the Arcuate and Interlobar vein and then the Renal vein
  • Finally blood flows into the Inferior vena cava

Kidney Functions

  • Kidneys filter blood to excrete wastes, hormones, and foreign substances
  • Kidneys regulate blood volume, blood pressure, blood osmolarity, and electrolyte and acid-base balance
  • Endocrine functions include producing erythropoietin for RBC production, calcitriol for calcium homeostasis, and renin to increase blood pressure
  • Perform gluconeogenesis during starvation

Nephron Drawing

  • The drawing of a nephron is a straightened representation of its actual complex structure, which includes 3 total nephrons

Urine Formation

  • Urine formation involves four key processes
  • They are glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption, tubular secretion, and water conservation

Glomerular Filtration

  • This is the bulk movement of fluid from the blood into the nephron
  • Includes essential substances like glucose, amino acids, vitamins, and electrolytes
  • Cells and proteins are not filtered and remain in the blood

Tubular Reabsorption

  • Useful solutes are removed from the filtrate and returned to the blood

Tubular Secretion

  • Additional wastes are removed from the blood and added to the filtrate

Water Conservation

  • Water is removed from the urine and returned to the blood

Filtration Rate

  • Approximately 180 liters of filtrate are produced per day
  • Only 1 to 2 liters of urine are excreted, because 99% of substance is reabsorbed

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