Osmotic Balance

Question 1

Acidosis

Answer 1

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

Question 2

ADH

Answer 2

Antidiuretic hormone, hypothalamic hormone, released from the neurohypophysis- increases water permeability in the collecting duct, thus decreasing urine volume.

Question 3

Aldosteron

Answer 3

Steroid hormone of the adrenal gland - increases Na+ reabsorption in the kidney and at other places.

Question 4

Alkalosis

Answer 4

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

Question 5

ANP

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Bilirubin

Answer 6

Yellowish bile pigment produced by breakdown of 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

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

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 filtration rate- the amount of fluid filtrated per unit of time in the glomeruli of the kidneys.

Question 13

Glomerulus

Answer 13

The functional unit 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

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

Question 16

Nephron

Answer 16

Functional and anatomical unit of the kidneys; it’s parts are the glomerulus, proximal- and distal tubules, Henle’s loop descending deep in the renal medulla.

Question 17

Obligate reabsorption

Answer 17

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 18

Podocyte

Answer 18

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

Question 19

RBF (renal blood flow)

Answer 19

The amount of blood flowing through the kidneys per unit of time.

Question 20

Reabsorption

Answer 20

Backward transport of some ultrafiltrated materials from the tubules to the blood vessels in the kidneys.

Question 21

Renin

Answer 21

Peptid hormone (protease) released by the juxtaglomerular apparatus - transforms angiotensinogen into angiotensin1.

Question 22

RPF (renal plasma flow)

Answer 22

The amount of blood plasma flowing through the kidneys per unit of time

Question 23

Tubular maximum

Answer 23

A rate limit of transport proteins (maximal transport capacity) int he kidney tubules above which only a portion of the given material is reabsorbed (e.g. glucose in the proximal tubule).

Question 24

Tubule (proximal, distal)

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Ultrafiltration

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Urea

Answer 26

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