Human Urinary System

1. Trace a drop of filtrate from Bowman’s capsule to its release from the body as urine.
2. The initial kidney filtrate resembles blood plasma in some ways. What is similar, what is
missing and why? If urine is formed by filtering blood, why isn’t urine normally re in colour
like blood?
3. Describe the glomerular filtration membrane and how it excludes blood cells and proteins
from the filtrate.
4. Explain the forces that promote and oppose glomerular filtration.
5. What would happen to the glomerular filtration rate if a person suffered from severe
malnutrition?
6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the vertebrate kidney filtering almost
everything out of the blood plasma and then putting a lot of it back into the blood?
7. How does the structure of an epithelial cell in the proximal convoluted tubule reflect its
function?
8. Name the chemical that is normally entirely reabsorbed back into the blood from the renal
tubules? Identify the disease state that is associated with the renal tubules inability to
reabsorb the chemical mentioned. Briefly explain the diagnostic procedure used to identify
this disease mentioned.
9. Why does penicillin have to be given in high doses and several times a day to be effective in
fighting infections?
10. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the vertebrate kidney filtering almost
everything out of the blood plasma and then putting a lot of it back into the blood?
11. How would blood pressure disorders (high or low) affect the functioning of the kidneys?
12. If a person cannot produce aldosterone, they will die if they don’t receive any treatment. Why
is this?
13. Why could it be dangerous to drink a very large amount of water in a short period of time?
14. Why is the presence of protein in the urine a sign of kidney problems?
15. Under what general conditions might your body produce aldosterone vs. ADH?
16. Why does increasing the size of the afferent arteriole lead to an increase in the filtration rate?
17. What is the role of the vasa recta in the formation of concentrated urine?
18. What would be the consequences of having only nephrons and no loop of Henle in the
kidney?
19. Hypertension is commonly treated with drugs called ACE inhibitors. Explain how such drugs
could lower the blood pressure.
20. Briefly describe the hormonal regulation of fluid and electrolyte balance by the rennin-
angiotensin-aldosterone system.
21. The reabsorption of water, Cl-, and glucose by the PCT are all linked to the reabsorption of
Na+, but in three very different ways. Contrast these three mechanisms.
22. Concisely contrast the role of the counter current multiplier with that of the counter current
exchanger.
23. Why is the differential permeability of specific sections of the renal tubule necessary in
producing concentrated urine?
24. Why must the kidneys establish a concentration gradient in the interstitial fluid of the renal
medulla in order to produce concentrated urine?
25. Both diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus produce large urine volumes, but how would
other characteristics of the urine differ between the two diseases?
26. Explain the effect of each of the following on urine production (volume and concentration):
a. Consumption of salted pretzels
b. Excess water consumption
c. Excess bicarbonate consumption
d. Mutation that inactivate the Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) receptor gene
e. High levels of both ADH and aldosterone
Predict the effects the following scenarios would have on glomerular filtration:
a) Having excess proteins in the blood, increasing colloid osmotic pressure
b) Having low arterial blood pressure (hypotension)
c) Having high arterial blood pressure (hypertension)

What are the potential effects of each of the following drug actions on the functioning of the
kidneys?
a) Drug blocking the action of aldosterone
b) Drug blocking the receptor for angiotensin II on blood vessels including vessels of the
kidney
c) Drug blocking the sodium/potassium transport pumps in the loop of Henle

Link on medullary osmotic gradient: counter current mechanism, urea recycling and production of concentrated vs
dilute urine http://www.johnwiley.net.au/highered/interactions/media/Balancing/content/Balancing/ur3a/screen0.swf
Hormone Released from: Released stimulated ACTION Effects on BLOOD Effects on URINE
by: Volume & Volume &
Osmolarity Osmolarity
Anti-diuretic Hormone
(ADH)

Renin

Aldosterone

Atrial Natriuretic
Peptide/Hormone
(ANP or ANH)