Physiology (1-5) Flashcards

1
Q

What is osmolarity?

A

Concentration of osmotically active particles in a solution

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2
Q

What is the approximate osmolarity of the body’s fluids?

A

~300mosmol/L

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3
Q

How can the osmolarity of a solution be calculated?

A

If the following are known:

 - Molar concentration
 - Number of particles present
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4
Q

What is the osmolarity of a 100mM solution of magnesium chloride?

A

Molar concentration = 100mM
Number of particles present = 3
Osmorality = 100 x 3 = 300mosmol/L

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5
Q

What are the units of osmolality?

A

osmol/kg of water

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6
Q

When are osmolarity and osmolality bascially interchangeable?

A

Weak solutions

Body fluids

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7
Q

What is tonicity?

A

Effect a solution has on cell volume

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8
Q

What effect does a hypotonic solution have on cells?

A

Cell lysis

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9
Q

What effect does a hypertonic solution have on cells?

A

Cell shrinkage

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10
Q

What does tonicity take into account?

A

Solute’s ability to cross cell membranes

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11
Q

How much of the total body water is made up of ICF?

A

67%

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12
Q

How much of the total body water is made up of ECF?

A

33%

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13
Q

What forms the ECF?

A

Plasma (20%)
ISF (80%)
Lympha and transcellular fliud (Negligible)

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14
Q

What tracer can we use to calculate total body water?

A

³H₂O

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15
Q

What tracer can we use to calculate ECF?

A

Inulin

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16
Q

What tracer can we use to calculate plasma volume?

A

Labelled albumin

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17
Q

How can we calculate ICF?

A

TBW = ECF + ICF

We know TBW and ECF from ³H₂O and Inulin respectively

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18
Q

How can we calculate the volume of distribution?

A
  1. Add a does of tracer (D) to an unknown volume of water (V)
  2. Allow tracer to mix evenly
  3. Take a small sample and measure [Tracer] (C)
  4. Calculate V as follows:
    V(litres) = Does (D)/Sample
    Where [Sample] = Mass/Volume in mg/L
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19
Q

Calculate the volume of distribution for the following values:

  • Dose given = 42mg
  • Sample volume is 5ml
  • Sample tracer mass is 0.01mg
A

[Tracer] in sample = 0.01/0.005 = 2mg/L

V = 42/2 = 21L

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20
Q

Which of the following are sensible water losses and which are insensible:

  • Sweat
  • Faeces
  • Skin
  • Urine
  • Lungs
A
Sensible:
     - Sweat
     - Faeces
     - Urine
Insensible:
     - Skin
     - Lungs
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21
Q

What sources of water loss are increased and decreased in hot weather?

A
Increased:
     - Sweat
Decreased:
     - Lungs
     - Urine
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22
Q

What sources of water loss are increased and decreased during prolonged heavy exercise?

A
Increased:
     - Lungs
     - Sweat
Decreased:
     - Urine
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23
Q

What is the main method of maintaining water balance?

A

Increasing water intake

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24
Q

What is the ionic composition of ICF in regards to the following ions:

  • Na+
  • K+
  • Cl-
  • Bicarbonate
A

Sodium -> 10mM
Potassium -> 140mM
Cloride -> 7mM
Bicarbonate -> 10mM

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25
Q

What is the ionic composition of ECF in regards to the following ions:

  • Na+
  • K+
  • Cl-
  • Bicarbonate
A

Sodium -> 140mM
Potassium -> 4.5mM
Cloride -> 115mM
Bicarbonate -> 28mM

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26
Q

What are the main ions in the ICF?

A

Na+
Cl-
Bicarbonate

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27
Q

What are the main ions in the ICF?

A

K+
Mg²⁺
Negatively charged proteins

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28
Q

What causes water movement between the ICF and ECF?

A

Osmotic gradient

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29
Q

What results when there is a gain or loss of H₂O in regards to fluid osmolarity and ICF/ECF volumes?

A

Change in fluid osmolarity

Similar change in ICF and ECF volumes

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30
Q

What results when there is a gain or loss of NaCl in regards to fluid osmolarity and ICF/ECF volumes?

A
Change in fluid osmolarity
Increased ECF NaCl:
     - Increased ECF volume
     - Decreased ICF volume
Decreased ECF NaCl:
     - Decreased ECF volume
     - Increased ICF volume
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31
Q

What results when there is a gain or loss of isotonic fluid in regards to fluid osmolarity and ICF/ECF volumes?

A

No change in osmolarity

Change in ECF volume

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32
Q

What does the kidney alter in terms of the ECF and what is this vital for?

A

Composition
Volume:
- Both aid in BP control

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33
Q

What affect can small leaks or increased cell uptake of K⁺ have?

A

Severe changes in [K⁺]p:

 - Muscle weakness -> Paralysis
 - Arrhythmias -> Cardiac arrest
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34
Q

What does the rate of excretion of any substance equal?

A

Filtration rate + Secretion rate - Reabsorption rate

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35
Q

What does the rate of filtration of a substance X equal?

A

[X]plasma x GFR

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36
Q

What does the rate of excretion of a substance X equal?

A

[X]urine x Vu (urine flow rate)

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37
Q

What does the rate of reabsorption of a substance X equal?

A

Rate of Filtration of X - Rate of Excretion of X

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38
Q

What does the rate of secretion of a substance X equal?

A

Rate of Excretion of X - Rate of Filtration of X

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39
Q

If there is net reabsorption of a substance, what must be true?

A

Rate of Filtration > Rate of Excretion

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40
Q

If there is net secretion of a substance, what must be true?

A

Rate of Filtration

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41
Q

What acts as a barrier to RBC filtration into the glomerulus?

A

Glomerular capillary endothelial cells

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42
Q

What acts as a barrier to plasma protein filtration into the glomerulus?

A

Basement membrane

Slit processes of podocytes in glomerular epithelium

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43
Q

What is the approximate glomerular capillary BP/hydrostatic pressure (BPgc)?

A

55mmHg

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44
Q

What is the approximate Bowman’s capsule hydrostatic pressure (Hpbc)?

A

15mmHg

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45
Q

What is the approximate capillary oncotic pressure (COPgc)?

A

30mmHg

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46
Q

What is the approximate Bowman’s capsule oncotic pressure (COPbc)?

A

0mmHg

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47
Q

How can the net filtration pressure be calculated?

A

(BPgc + COPbc) - ( Hpbc + COPgc)

(55 + 0) - (15 + 30) = 10mmHg

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48
Q

What is the balance of hydrostatic pressure and osmotic forces known as?

A

Starling forces

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49
Q

How can GFR be calculated?

A

Filtration coefficient (Kf) x Net filtration pressure

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50
Q

What is the filtration coefficient?

A

How ‘hole-y’ the glomerular membrane is

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51
Q

What is a normal GFR?

A

Approximately 125ml/min

52
Q

What is the main determinate of the GFR?

A

Glomerular afferent capillary BP/hydrostatic pressure

53
Q

How are renal blood flow and GFR maintained extrinsically?

A

Sympathetic control -> The baroreceptor reflex

54
Q

How are renal blood flow and GFR maintained intrinsically?

A

Myogenic mechanism

Tubuloglomerular feedback

55
Q

What happens to BPgc if the afferent arteriole is:

  • Constricted
  • Dilated
A

Constricted -> Falls

Dilated -> Rises

56
Q

What does autoregulation of renal blood flow do?

A

Prevents short-term BP changes affecting the GFR

57
Q

How does the myogenic mechanism aid autoregulation of renal blood flow?

A

If vascular smooth muscle is stretched (due to increased BP) it contracts -> Afferent arteriole constriction -> GFR reduced

58
Q

How does Tubuloglomerular feedback aid autoregulation of renal blood flow?

A

Involves the justaglomerular apparatus:

 - If GFR rises -> Tubular NaCl flow increases
           - > Afferent arteriole constriction -> GFR reduced
59
Q

What can cause an increased Bowman’s capsule hydrostatic pressure and what effect does this have on GFR?

A

Kidney stone

Reduces GFR

60
Q

What can cause an increased glomerular capillary oncotic pressure and what effect does this have on GFR?

A

Diarrhoea

Reduces GCR

61
Q

What can cause a decreased glomerular capillary oncotic pressure and what effect does this have on GFR?

A

Severe burns

Increased GFR

62
Q

If the filtration coefficient is reduced, what happens to GFR?

A

Decreases

63
Q

What is plasma clearance?

A

Volume of plasma completely cleared of a substance per minute (ml/min)

64
Q

How can we calculate the clearance of substance X?

A

Clearance of X = Rate of Excretion of X / [X]p

Clearance of X = [X]u x Vu / [X]p

65
Q

What is the clearance of a substance which is filtered, completely reabsorbed and not secreted? Give an example?

A

Zero

Glucose

66
Q

When else is the clearance of a substance 0?

A

If substance is not filtered and not secreted

67
Q

What is the clearance of a substance which is filtered, partly reabsorbed and not secreted? Give an example?

A

Clearance

68
Q

What is the clearance of a substance which is filtered, secreted and not reabsorbed? Give an example?

A

Clearance > GFR
All of filtered plasma cleared
Peritubular plasma also cleared
H+

69
Q

If clearance

A

Substance is reabsorbed

70
Q

If clearance = GFR?

A

Substance neither reabsorbed or secreted

71
Q

If clearance

A

Substance secreted

72
Q

What can Para-amino Hippuric Acid (PAH) be used to calculate?

A

Renal plasma flow

73
Q

What is a normal renal plasma flow?

A

650ml/min

74
Q

WHich of the following is not a feature of PAH:

  • Freely filtered at glomerulus
  • Produced in small (but quantifiable) amounts by the body
  • Secreted into tubule
  • Not reabsorbed at all
  • Completely cleared from plasma
A

Produced in small (but quantifiable) amounts by the body

75
Q

True or False; All PAH which escapes filtration is secreted from peritubular capillaries?

A

True

76
Q

What is the filtration fraction?

A

Fraction of plasma flowing through glomeruli which is filtered into tubules

77
Q

What properties should a clearance marker have?

A

Non-toxic
Inert (not metabolised)
Easy to measure

78
Q

What additional features should a GFR marker have?

A

Freely filtered
Not:
- Secreted
- Reabsorbed

79
Q

What additional features should a RPF marker have?

A

Freely filtered
AND
Completely secreted

80
Q

Why is inulin not a convenient substance to use to estimate GFR?

A

Requires a constant infusion to maintain [Inulin]p

81
Q

How is the filtration fraction calculated?

A

GFR/Renal Plasma Flow

82
Q

What is the normal filtration fraction?

A

~20%

83
Q

How is renal blood flow calculated?

A

RPF x 1/1-HCT (Where HCT is the Haematocrit):
- HCT is the % of blood which is RBCs
-> ~45% in males
-> ~40% in females
RBF = 650/1-0.45 = 650 x 1.85 = 1200ml/min

84
Q

What rate is the filtrate absorbed in the PCT?

A

~80ml/min

85
Q

What rate is the filtrate absorbed in the Loop of Henle?

A

~45ml/min

86
Q

Is reabsorbed fluid hypotonic, isotonic or hypertonic to the glomerular filtrate?

A

Isotonic

87
Q

Which of the following is not reabsorbed in the PCT:

  • Sugars
  • Amino acids
  • Na⁺
  • PO₄³⁻
  • SO₄²⁻
  • Lactate
A

Na⁺

88
Q

Which of the following is not secreted into the PCT:

  • H⁺
  • Hippurates
  • Neurotransmitters
  • Bile pigments
  • K⁺
  • Uric acid
  • Drugs
  • Toxins
A

K⁺

89
Q

What are the two routes by which a substance can be reabsorbed from the tubule?

A

Transcellular (mainly)

Paracellular

90
Q

How does primary active transport work?

A

Energy required to operate carrier

Substance moved AGAINST its concentration gradient

91
Q

How does secondary active transport work?

A

Carrier molecule transported coupled to the concentration gradient of an ion -> Usually Na⁺

92
Q

How does facilitated diffusion work?

A

Passive carrier-mediated transport

DOWN its concentration gradient

93
Q

What chemicals can diffuse through the lipid bilayer?

A

Oxygen and Carbon dioxide

94
Q

Give an example of a compound that is carried through a membrane by facilitated diffusion?

A

Glucose

95
Q

Give an example of a primary active transport

A

Na+/K+ ATPase:

 - Na+ reabsorbed
 - K+ secreted
96
Q

Give an example of secondary active transport

A

Na+/Glucose co-transporter:

- Glucose carried coupled to Na+

97
Q

What is the approximate renal threshold for glucose?

A

[Glucose]p 10-12mmol/L

98
Q

What is the transport maximum for glucose?

A

~2.0mmol/min

99
Q

What happens once glucose filtered > glucose reabsorbed?

A

Excretion = Filtration = Reabsorption

100
Q

What happens to the clearance of a substance that is reabsorbed or secreted once Tm (Transport maximum) is reached?

A

It is not constant

101
Q

How is Cl- reabsorption driven in the PCT?

A

Na+ reabsorption drives Cl- reabsorption via the paracellular pathway

102
Q

How is water reabsorbed in the PCT?

A

Osmosis

103
Q

What is the osmolality of the tubular fluid when it leaves the PCT?

A

~300mosmol/L (ie isotonic to plasma)

104
Q

What are the main functions of the Loop of Henle?

A

Generates a corticomedullary solute concentration gradient

Helps form hypertonic urine

105
Q

What sort of flow does the Loop of Henle have?

A

Countercurrent

106
Q

What runs alongside the Loop of Henle that helps establish a hyperosmotic medullary ISF?

A

Vasa recta

107
Q

What is reabrosbed in the ascending limb of the Loop of Henle?

A

Na+ and Cl-

108
Q

How does reabsorption occur in the thick upper part of the ascending limb of the Loop of Henle?

A

Active transport

109
Q

How does reabsorption occur in the thin lower part of the ascending limb of the Loop of Henle?

A

Passive transport

110
Q

How permeable is the ascending limb of the Loop of Henle to water?

A

Very impermeable (little/no water follows Na+)

111
Q

What processes do and don’t occur in the descending limb of the Loop of Henle?

A

Highly permeable to water -> Reabsorbed

NaCl is NOT reabsorbed

112
Q

What transporter is present on the apical/lumenal membrane of the PCT?

A

Na+/K+/2Cl- co-transporter

113
Q

What transporters are present on the basolateral membrane of the PCT?

A

K+/Cl- co-transported

Na+/K+ exchanger

114
Q

What does K+ recycling in the PCT do?

A

Allows NaCl to be absorbed into the ISF

115
Q

The following steps are the first part in setting up the corticomedullary solute concentration gradient via the triple co-transporter, put them in order:

  • ISF can’t enter DL of Loop of Henle
  • Fluid in DL is concentraed
  • Tubular fluid diluted and ISF osmolarity rised
  • NaCl removed from AL (and water can’t follow)
  • Water leaves DL by osmosis
A
  1. NaCl removed from AL (and water can’t follow)
  2. Tubular fluid diluted and ISF osmolarity rised
  3. ISF can’t enter DL of Loop of Henle
  4. Water leaves DL by osmosis
  5. Fluid in DL is concentraed
116
Q

After the initial corticomedullary solute concentration gradient via the triple co-transporter is set up, what happens next?

A
  1. Fluid enters descending limb of Loop of Henle
  2. Fluid moves into ascending limb
  3. Hypotonic fluid enters DCT
117
Q

What is the third step in setting up the corticomedullary solute concentration gradient?

A
  1. Solute pumped out of ascending limb
  2. ISF osmolarity rises
  3. Passive water efflux from descending limb
  4. Flow occurs
118
Q

How does countercurrent multiplication finish the set-up of the corticomedullary solute concentration gradient?

A
  1. Iso-osmotic fluid leaves the PCT and enters the descending limb of the Loop of Henle
  2. Hypo-osmotic fluid enters the DCT
  3. Horizontal gradient multiplied into a large vertical gradient
119
Q

What are the steps in the urea cycle throughout the nephron?

A
  1. PCT and Loop of Henle relatively impermeable to urea -> Concentration in tubule rises
  2. DCT is totally impermeable to urea -> [Urea]t rises
  3. ~50% of urea absorbed into ISF at the collecting duct
  4. Urea diffuses passively into Loop of Henle
120
Q

Why is a corticomedullary solute concentration gradient set up?

A

Enables the kidnesy to produce urine of varying volumes and concentrations

121
Q

What is the Vurine on normal fluid intake?

A

~1ml/min

122
Q

Which nephrons does the vasa recta run alongside?

A

Juxtamedullary nephrons

123
Q

What happens to the blood in the vasa recta?

A

Equilibrates with ISF due to the ‘leaky’ endothelium

124
Q

What happens to the blood osmolarity as the vasa recta enters the medulla?

A

It increases:

 - Water leaves
 - Solute enters
125
Q

What happens to the blood osmolarity as the vasa recta rises back into the cortex?

A

It decreases:

 - Water enters
 - Solute leaves
126
Q

The vasa recta blood flow tends to wash away the concentration gradient set up in the medulla, how is this reduced?

A
  1. Vasa recta follows hairpin turns
  2. It is freely permeable to NaCl, water and urea
  3. Vasa recta blood flow is low