Kidney Structure and Function Flashcards Preview

Human Epithelial Biology > Kidney Structure and Function > Flashcards

Flashcards in Kidney Structure and Function Deck (27)
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1
Q

What are some of the functions of the kidney?

A
water balance
salt balance
acid-base balance
excretion of metabolic waste
excretion of exogenous compounds
conversion of VitD to active form
secretion of renin
secretion of erythropoietin
2
Q

What does the urinary system consist of?

A

the kidneys

the structures that store and carry urine for elimination

3
Q

What are the significant structures in the kidney?

A
the renal cortex
the renal medulla
the renal pyramid
the renal pelvis
the ureter
4
Q

What is the nephron?

A

the functional unit of the kidney

5
Q

What are the functional mechanisms of the nephron?

A

filtration
reabsorption
secretion

6
Q

Where are the peritubular capillaries found?

A

the loop of henle

7
Q

Where is the juxtaglomerular apparatus found?

A

around glomerulus, afferent and efferent arterioles

8
Q

Where is the cortex of the nephron?

A

above the loop of henle

9
Q

Where is the medulla of the nephron?

A

below the loop of henle

10
Q

What are the two types of nephron?

A

juxtamedullary - 20%

cortical - 80%

11
Q

What are the differences between the two nephrons?

A

there is a vasa recta on the juxtamedullary

juxtamedullary is much longer/ bigger

12
Q

What is the afferent arteriole?

A

the artery taking blood into the glomerulus

13
Q

What is the efferent arteriole?

A

the artery taking blood away from the glomerulus

14
Q

What is the inner layer of the bowmans capsule called?

A

podocytes - surround glomerular capillaries

15
Q

What is found on the distal tubule?

A

a layer of cells called macula densa

16
Q

What is the function of the macula densa in response to lowered NaCl?

A

decreases resistance to blood flow from afferents

releases renin from juxtaglomerular cells

17
Q

What is found next to the afferent arterioles?

A

granular cells - a.k.a juxtaglomerular cells

18
Q

What is urine?

A

modified filtrate of the blood

19
Q

What are the basic renal processes?

A

glomerular filtration
tubular reabsorption
tubular secretion

20
Q

How much plasma that enters the glomerulus is filtered?

A

20%

21
Q

What is rate of excretion equivalent to?

A

rate of filtration + rate of secretion - rate of absorption

22
Q

What is the equation for calculating the rate of filtration of a freely filtered substance?

A

Rate = Xplasma x GFR

23
Q

What is the equation for calculating the rate of excretion of a freely filtered substance?

A

Rate = Xurine x Vu

Where Vu = urine flow rate

24
Q

What is the equation for calculating the rate of reabsorption of a freely filtered substance?

A

Rate of reabsorption = rate of filtration - rate of excretion

25
Q

What is the case when rate of filtration> rate of excretion?

A

net reabsorption has occurred

26
Q

How is rate of secretion calculated?

A

rate of secretion = excretion - filtration

27
Q

What do rates of reabsorption and secretion reflect?

A

tubular modification of filtrate