6.4.3 INCOMPLETE

Question 1

Define osmoregulation

Answer 1

Control of blood water potential via homeostatic mechanisms

Question 2

Define the gross structure of a mammalian kidney

Answer 2

Fibrous capsule: protects kidney
Cortex: Outer region consists of Bowman’s capsules, convoluted tubules, blood vessels
Medulla: inner region consists of collecting ducts, loops of Henle, blood vessels
Renal pelvis: cavity collects urine into ureter
Ureter: tube carriers urine to bladder
Renal artery: supplies kidney with oxygenated blood
Renal vein: returns deoxygenated blood from kidney to heart

Question 3

Describe the structure of a nephron

Answer 3

Bowman’s capsule at the start of nephron: cup-shaped, surrounds glomerulus, inner layer of podocytes

Proximal convoluted tubule (PCT): series of loops surrounded by capillaries, walls made of epithelial cells with microvilli

Loops of Henle: hairpin loop extends from cortex into medulla

Distal convoluted tubule: similar to PCT but fewer capillaries

Collecting duct: DCT from several nephrons empty into collecting duct which leads into pelvis of kidney

Question 4

Describe the blood vessels associated with a nephron

Answer 4

Wide afferent arteriole from renal artery enters renal capsule and forms glomerulus: branched knot of capillaries which combine to form narrow efferent arteriole.
Efferent arteriole branches to form capillary network that surrounds tubules