Overview of Kidney function Flashcards
what is water and electrolyte homeostasis?
when intake and loss are in balance over a significant period. it does not happen by accident.
what are some complications that can arise with water and electrolyte imblanance?
-haemorrage
-unusual eating or drinking
-severe dehydration, rapid fluid loss from gut or after burns
-unintended consequences of drug actions
what is the typical water input and output a day?
input - 2.5L
output -2.5
how do we output water/fluids?
-urine (1500ml)
-sweat (100ml)
-faeces (200ml)
-invisible loss (700ml)
what happens when sweat loss increases?
urine output can be reduced in these conditions
at rest how much kidney tissue does cardiac output supply?
25% Of CO about 200g so about 625ml/100g/min
why do kidneys receive such a high blood flow?
much higher flow than is required to support flow, tissue metabolism and make sure its filtered.
what is blood pressure like in golemerular capillaries?
high, around 50-60mmHg
what is the structure of a renal artery like?
-short
-relatively large radius
-unusual sequence of blood vessels
what is the blood flow like in renal artery?
afferent arterioles -> glomerular capillaries -> efferent arterioles -> tubular capillaries -> venule
what is the functional unit for the kidney?
nephron
what are the 2 types of nephrons?
superficial (shorter) and juxtamedullary (longer)
where is water reabsorption more effective?
jaxta-medullary as they have longer loops
what does each nephron look like?
-a tube
-the nephron wall is a continuous layer of epithelium
-cell shapes in the walls are very different
-shape reflects activity; surface area ; ion pumping etc
what are the 4 sections of nephrons?
-proximal convoluted tubules
-loop
-distal convoluted tubule
-collecting duct
what is ultrafiltration?
driven by blood pressure in glomerular capillaries
-high renal blood flow (25%)
-high filtration rate
what is reabsorption?
active pumping from filtrate in tubules
-for substances to be retained eg water, glucose, amino acids electrolytes
what is secretion?
active pumping into tubules
-for substances to be eliminated faster than filtration alone
-allows H+ ammonia, uric acid and some drugs
Which hormone controls pumping rates?
aldosterone can adjust the rates of Na+ and K+ pumping
where does the filtration of small molecules occur?
through slits between podocytes
-limited by the space between the podocyte processes
how much salt is recommended?
adults should eat no more than 6g of salt a day
where does ultrafiltration occur?
glomerular capsule