Physiology (1-5) Flashcards
What is osmolarity?
Concentration of osmotically active particles in a solution
What is the approximate osmolarity of the body’s fluids?
~300mosmol/L
How can the osmolarity of a solution be calculated?
If the following are known:
- Molar concentration - Number of particles present
What is the osmolarity of a 100mM solution of magnesium chloride?
Molar concentration = 100mM
Number of particles present = 3
Osmorality = 100 x 3 = 300mosmol/L
What are the units of osmolality?
osmol/kg of water
When are osmolarity and osmolality bascially interchangeable?
Weak solutions
Body fluids
What is tonicity?
Effect a solution has on cell volume
What effect does a hypotonic solution have on cells?
Cell lysis
What effect does a hypertonic solution have on cells?
Cell shrinkage
What does tonicity take into account?
Solute’s ability to cross cell membranes
How much of the total body water is made up of ICF?
67%
How much of the total body water is made up of ECF?
33%
What forms the ECF?
Plasma (20%)
ISF (80%)
Lympha and transcellular fliud (Negligible)
What tracer can we use to calculate total body water?
³H₂O
What tracer can we use to calculate ECF?
Inulin
What tracer can we use to calculate plasma volume?
Labelled albumin
How can we calculate ICF?
TBW = ECF + ICF
We know TBW and ECF from ³H₂O and Inulin respectively
How can we calculate the volume of distribution?
- Add a does of tracer (D) to an unknown volume of water (V)
- Allow tracer to mix evenly
- Take a small sample and measure [Tracer] (C)
- Calculate V as follows:
V(litres) = Does (D)/Sample
Where [Sample] = Mass/Volume in mg/L
Calculate the volume of distribution for the following values:
- Dose given = 42mg
- Sample volume is 5ml
- Sample tracer mass is 0.01mg
[Tracer] in sample = 0.01/0.005 = 2mg/L
V = 42/2 = 21L
Which of the following are sensible water losses and which are insensible:
- Sweat
- Faeces
- Skin
- Urine
- Lungs
Sensible: - Sweat - Faeces - Urine Insensible: - Skin - Lungs
What sources of water loss are increased and decreased in hot weather?
Increased: - Sweat Decreased: - Lungs - Urine
What sources of water loss are increased and decreased during prolonged heavy exercise?
Increased: - Lungs - Sweat Decreased: - Urine
What is the main method of maintaining water balance?
Increasing water intake
What is the ionic composition of ICF in regards to the following ions:
- Na+
- K+
- Cl-
- Bicarbonate
Sodium -> 10mM
Potassium -> 140mM
Cloride -> 7mM
Bicarbonate -> 10mM
What is the ionic composition of ECF in regards to the following ions:
- Na+
- K+
- Cl-
- Bicarbonate
Sodium -> 140mM
Potassium -> 4.5mM
Cloride -> 115mM
Bicarbonate -> 28mM
What are the main ions in the ICF?
Na+
Cl-
Bicarbonate
What are the main ions in the ICF?
K+
Mg²⁺
Negatively charged proteins
What causes water movement between the ICF and ECF?
Osmotic gradient
What results when there is a gain or loss of H₂O in regards to fluid osmolarity and ICF/ECF volumes?
Change in fluid osmolarity
Similar change in ICF and ECF volumes
What results when there is a gain or loss of NaCl in regards to fluid osmolarity and ICF/ECF volumes?
Change in fluid osmolarity Increased ECF NaCl: - Increased ECF volume - Decreased ICF volume Decreased ECF NaCl: - Decreased ECF volume - Increased ICF volume
What results when there is a gain or loss of isotonic fluid in regards to fluid osmolarity and ICF/ECF volumes?
No change in osmolarity
Change in ECF volume
What does the kidney alter in terms of the ECF and what is this vital for?
Composition
Volume:
- Both aid in BP control
What affect can small leaks or increased cell uptake of K⁺ have?
Severe changes in [K⁺]p:
- Muscle weakness -> Paralysis - Arrhythmias -> Cardiac arrest
What does the rate of excretion of any substance equal?
Filtration rate + Secretion rate - Reabsorption rate
What does the rate of filtration of a substance X equal?
[X]plasma x GFR
What does the rate of excretion of a substance X equal?
[X]urine x Vu (urine flow rate)
What does the rate of reabsorption of a substance X equal?
Rate of Filtration of X - Rate of Excretion of X
What does the rate of secretion of a substance X equal?
Rate of Excretion of X - Rate of Filtration of X
If there is net reabsorption of a substance, what must be true?
Rate of Filtration > Rate of Excretion
If there is net secretion of a substance, what must be true?
Rate of Filtration
What acts as a barrier to RBC filtration into the glomerulus?
Glomerular capillary endothelial cells
What acts as a barrier to plasma protein filtration into the glomerulus?
Basement membrane
Slit processes of podocytes in glomerular epithelium
What is the approximate glomerular capillary BP/hydrostatic pressure (BPgc)?
55mmHg
What is the approximate Bowman’s capsule hydrostatic pressure (Hpbc)?
15mmHg
What is the approximate capillary oncotic pressure (COPgc)?
30mmHg
What is the approximate Bowman’s capsule oncotic pressure (COPbc)?
0mmHg
How can the net filtration pressure be calculated?
(BPgc + COPbc) - ( Hpbc + COPgc)
(55 + 0) - (15 + 30) = 10mmHg
What is the balance of hydrostatic pressure and osmotic forces known as?
Starling forces
How can GFR be calculated?
Filtration coefficient (Kf) x Net filtration pressure
What is the filtration coefficient?
How ‘hole-y’ the glomerular membrane is