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1. Label the parts of the nephron and collecting duct system in the diagram (figure 1)
below.
FIGURE 1
2. With the aid of figure 1, describe the structure and function of the parts of a nephron.
Include in your description how the concentration of the filtrate changes as passes
through the nephron.
3. Describe the external and internal structures of a kidney.
Renal Fascia – A dense ,fibrous outer layer. Anchors kidney to surrounding structure
• renal column-Bands of cortical tissue separate adjacent renal pyramids .Extend into
medulla .Have distinctly granular texture
Location of Kidney:
-Behind peritoneum (retroperitoneal) on posterior abdominal wall on either side of
vertebral column
-the lumbar vertebrae and rib cage partially protect it
-the right kidney is slightly lower than the left
• Juxtaglomerular apparatus- Area where DCT comes into close contact with the renal
corpuscle
• Consists of:
– Macula Densa – modified DCT epithelial cells
– Juxtaglomerular cells – smooth muscle fibres of afferent arteriole
5. Under what circumstances would renin be released from the kidneys? Describe the
events that occur after renin secretion. Include how blood pressure is affected.
The enzyme renin is released by kidney cells in response to a decline in blood volume,
blood pressure, or both.
Once in the bloodstream, renin starts an enzymatic chain reaction known as the renin-
angiotensin system, that leads to the formation of the hormone angiotensin II.
6. Explain how changes in the osmotic pressure of the blood plasma may affect the rate of
glomerular filtration.
7. Explain how hypotonic tubular fluid is produced in the ascending limb of the loop of
Henle.
the filtrate becomes hypotonic because it is impermeable to water, and because sodium and
chloride are being actively pumped into the interstitial fluid, thereby decreasing solute
concentration in the tubule.
the vasa recta acts as a countercurrent exchanger to maintain the osmotic gradient by serving
as a passive exchange mechanism that removes water from the medullary areas but leaves
salts behind. The filtrate at the tip of the loop of Henle is hypertonic due to the passive
diffusion of water from the descending limb to the interstitial areas
9. Explain how urine may become concentrated as it moves through the collecting duct.
In response to certain metabolic conditions such as decreasing blood or fluid volume, the
posterior lobe of the pituitary gland releases ADH (antidiuretic hormone). In the kidney, ADH
causes increased permeability of the epithelial linings of the distal convoluted tubule and
collecting duct. This moves water rapidly out of these segments. Thus, the urine becomes more
concentrated because water is conserved by the body.
10. Conn’s Syndrome is an endocrine disorder brought about by a tumor of the adrenal
cortex that secretes excessive aldosterone in an uncontrolled fashion.
Given what you know about the functions of aldosterone, describe what the most
prominent features of this condition would be.
Increase Na+ and water reabsorption. Increase blood volume and increae blood pressure.
Hypokalemia
11. Explain the important differences between blood plasma and renal filtrate, and relate
the differences to the structure of the filtration membrane.
The plasma that is filtered is known as "renal filtrate" and is similar to plasma, except that the
circulating globular proteins are too big to be filtered.
12. Because of a mutation, a child was born with the ascending limb of the loop of Henle
only permeable to water. How would this affect the counter current multiplication
system? If the pelvic nerves supplying the bladder become damaged, how would the
process of micturition be affected?
13. Ben has glomerular nephritis. Urinalysis shows a large amount of protein in the urine.
How does this affect:
(i) Glomerular hydrostatic pressure
(ii) Blood colloid osmotic pressure
(iii) Capsular colloid osmotic pressure
(iv) Capsular hydrostatic pressure
(v) Glomerular filtration rate