Chapter 18: The Urinary System: Renal Function

Question 1

The kidneys filter the entire plasma volume (approximately _ liters) every __ minutes.

Answer 1

3
22
(This equals approximately 196 L of plasma per day, and includes only the plasma, NOT the rest of the blood)

(p. 509)
(p. 509)

Question 2

What are the 5 primary functions of the kidneys?

Answer 2

(1) regulation of plasma ionic composition
(2) regulation of plasma volume
(3) regulation of plasma osmolarity
(4) regulation of plasma hydrogen ion concentration (pH)
(5) removal of metabolic waste products and foreign substances from the plasma

(p. 510)

Question 3

As a general rule, the presence of a high resistance in any network of vessels tends to _____ the pressure in vessels located ________ while lowering the pressure __________.

Answer 3

raise
upstream
downstream

(p. 517)

Question 4

There are three exchange processes which occur in the renal tubules: __________, ____________, and _________. A fourth process, excretion, is the bulk flow of urine out of the body.

Answer 4

filtration
reabsorption
secretion

(p. 517)

Question 5

Describe the process of filtration.

Answer 5

Filtration is the bulk flow of protein-free plasma from the glomerulus into Bowman’s capsule.

(p. 517)

Question 6

Describe the process of reabsorption.

Answer 6

Reabsorption occurs along the tubules, and is the movement of water or solute from the lumen of the tubules into the peritubular capillaries.

(p. 517)

Question 7

Describe the process of secretion.

Answer 7

Secretion also occurs along the tubules, but is the movement of solute from the peritubular capillaries into the lumen of the tubules.

(p. 517)