Functions of the Kidney Flashcards
When a substance has entered the nephron but needs to be saved from becoming urine the body performs which function?
Reabsorption
When starvation of the body occurs, what function can the kidney perform to combat this problem?
Gluconeogenesis, making of glucose
How do the kidneys regulate blood pressure?
Long term control of blood pressure, by managing fluid and electrolyte intake and output
What causes micturation of the bladder?
A spinal cord reflex involving bladder wall smooth muscle
How are we able to control urination?
The external sphincter is made up of skeletal muscle
What is the purpose of having a salty medulla?
It is an energy efficient mechanism for reabsorbing water
The transport of a substance into the lumen of the renal tubule from the tubular cells, interstitium or peritubular capillaries?
Secretion
What determines the name of the nephron?
It is distinguished by tubule location
What type of nephron do we have more of?
Cortical nephrons
Where is the primary site of reabsorption into the blood in the kidneys?
Peritubular capillaries
What is the significance of the renal capillary beds arranged into a series?
Pressure in either of these capillary beds will affect fluid filtration
Other than food and drink, how else does the body receive water input?
Synthesized-end product of metabolism (metabolism makes water and CO2)
Why does the plasma have a greater ion concentration than the ISF?
Donnan effect, more ions bound to protein
What two molecules act as an important ISF buffer to H+ ions?
Phosphate
Protein
Measurement of which ion is a reliable indicator of plasma osmolality?
Sodium
Which type of particles exert a higher osmotic pressure?
Both large and small particles exert the SAME osmotic pressure
What should we know about a cell membrane in order to determine if the cell volume will change?
Tonicity
Which hormone is best for adjusting osmolarity?
ADH only brings in or inhibits water reabsorption, no ions
What can be a major problem with the shifting of cell sizes due to a change in osmolarity?
Ion channels can become more/less excitable when cells shrink or swell
Where is edema most likely to occur?
Interstitial fluid (increased capillary filtration, lymph block)
What are some causes of intracellular edema?
Depressed metabolic function of the cell
Inadequate nutrition delivered to the cell (dysfunction of the Na/K pump, no nutrients, no pump)
Inflammation around cells
