Osmotic Balance (1-27)

Question 1

Acidosis

Answer 1

Lower than normal pH levels, i.e. accumulation of acid in the body.

Question 2

ADH

Answer 2

Antidiuretic hormone, hypothalamic hormone released from the neurohypophysis. It increases the water permeability in the collecting duct, and therefore decrease the urine volume.

Question 3

Aldosteron

Answer 3

A steroid hormone of the adrenal gland which increases the Na^+ reabsorption in the kidney and at other places.

Question 4

Alkalosis

Answer 4

A higher than normal pH level, i.e. accumulation of base in the body.

Question 5

ANP

Answer 5

Atrial natriuretic peptide, it is secreted in the atrium of the heart and increases Na^+ and urine discharge, decreasing blood volume.

Question 6

Bilirubin

Answer 6

A yellowish bile pigment produced by breakdown of the heme.

Question 7

Clearance

Answer 7

A functional measure of the kidney function - the plasma volume that is (theoretically) fully cleared of a certain material per unit of time in the kidneys.

Question 8

Cortical nephron

Answer 8

The most frequent nephron type located in the cortex of the kidney with short Henle´s loop.

Question 9

Diuresis

Answer 9

The discharge of urine from the urinary bladder

Question 10

Diuretics

Answer 10

Drugs that increase the amount of urine and urination.

Question 11

Facultative reabsorption

Answer 11

A controlled reuptake of certain elements of the primary urine (ultrafiltrate) in the distal kidney tubules and collecting duct according to the need of the organism.

Question 12

GFR

Answer 12

(Glomerular fultration rate) The amount of fluid filtrated per unit of time in the glomeruli of the kidneys.

Question 13

Glomerulus

Answer 13

The functional units of the kidneys consisting of the Bowman-capsule and of a coiled capillary system.

Question 14

Henle´s loop

Answer 14

A tubule connecting the proximal and the distal tubules in the kidneys

Question 15

Juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA)

Answer 15

A cell-group located in the angular area of the glomerulus and the tubules in the nephrons that produce renin (to regulate ionic milieu and fluid balance through the renin-angiotensin system).

Question 16

Juxtamedullary nephron

Answer 16

Nephron located close to the corticomedullary border in the kidney, with a long Henle´s loop descending deep in the renal medulla.

Question 17

Nephron

Answer 17

The functional and anatomical unit of the kidneys: its parts are the glomerulus, proximal and distal tubules, Henle´s loop and collecting duct.

Question 18

Obligate reabsorption

Answer 18

The compulsory reabsorption under any circumstances of a portion of some materials (e.g. water, sodium, glucose) in the proximal tubule of the nephron.

Question 19

Podocyte

Answer 19

Epithelial cell type in the Bowman´s capsule attached to the basal membrane of the glomerulus - filtrate passes between its footlike processes into the tubules of the nephron.

Question 20

RBF

Answer 20

Renal blood flow, the amount of blood flowing through the kidneys per unit in time.

Question 21

Reabsorption

Answer 21

A backward transport of some ultrafiltrated material from the tubules to the blood vessels in the kidneys.

Question 22

Renin

Answer 22

A peptide hormone (protease) released by the juxtaglomerular apparatus. It transforms angiotensinogen into angiotensin I.

Question 23

RPF

Answer 23

Renal plasma flow - the amount of blood plasma flowing through the kidneys per unit of time.

Question 24

Tubular maximum

Answer 24

A rate limit of transport proteins (maximal transport capacity) in the kidney tubules above which only a portion of a given material is reabsorbed.

Question 25

Tubule (proximal, distal)

Answer 25

Small tubes leading from the glomerulus to the collecting duct in the nephron.

Question 26

Ultrafiltration

Answer 26

Filtration in the glomeruli of the kidneys in which water and small organic and inorganic compounds pass the membranes from the plasma to the proximal tubule whereas colloid particles and cells remain unfiltered.

Question 27

Urea

Answer 27

Nitrogen containing compound actively eliminated by the kidneys: the main way to eliminate excess nitrogen