Chapter 18/19 (Pt. 1) Flashcards
what is the smallest functional unit of the kidney?
nephron
what is the function of the afferent areteriole?
feeds glomerular capillary bed
what is the function of the glomerulus
site where blood is filtered
what makes the glomerulus special?
filters and doesn’t absorb
what is the function of the efferent arteriole?
exits glomerulus and feeds into 2 other capillary beds
what is the function of peritubular capillaries
surround nephron tubule
what is Bowman’s capsule?
bag to seal the glomerulus inside
what are vasa recta capillaries?
surround loop of Henle, capillary bed
what is the proximal and distal nephron tubule ?
responsible for reabsorption
what is the collecting duct?
final segment of the nephron; regulates the concentration of urine
which arteriole arrives at the glomerulus?
afferent
which arteriole exits the glomerulus?
efferent
what are the three barriers that make up the glomerulus/
fenestrated capillary, basement membrane, and podocytes
how do fenestrated capillaries facilitate filtration of the glomerulus? what are fenestrated capillaries?
- fenestrated (lots of holes) = very permeable
- single layer of epithelial cells
how does the basement membrane facilitate filtration of the glomerulus? what is the basement membrane?
- negative charge repels proteins from passing through
- gelatinous, acellular
- collagen
how do podocytes facilitate filtration of the glomerulus? what are podocytes?
- create restrictive gaps called “filtration slits” above fenestrations in glomerular capillary -> glom. cap. bed becomes very leaky -> lots of filtrate exits
- epithelial cells on top of glomerular capillary endothelium with foot-like extensions
