physiology Flashcards
Which hormone stimulates the seminal vesicles? and what is the function?
testosterone. aid sperm by adding 50%-70% of the seminal fluid that nourishes sperm. adds sugars etc. DOES NOT STORE SPERM
Which hormone stimulates the seminal vesicles? and what is the function?
testosterone. adds acid phosphotase.
what is ectopic pregnancy?
fertilised egg doesn’t reach the uterus and tries to implant in uterine tube. PREG COMPLICATION
where does fertilisation occur?
ampulla
describe the function of epithelial squames
cells of the epithelium of the vagina and cervix collect glycogen and break off (desquamate) after ovulation. Bacteria then feed on the glycogen to create lactic acid. this creates an acidic environment and protects against microorganisms.
which two hormones are released by the thyroid gland?
thyroxine and calcitonin
How is the release of thyroxine controlled?
the hypothalamus releases thyro-tropin releasing hormone which then triggers a release of thyroid stimulating hormone from the anterior pituitary which in turn stimulates the release of thyroxine and triodethyronine from the thyroid gland.
what does thyroxine do?
plays an important role in metabolism, digestion, heart, brain development, bone maintenance and muscle control.
What does calcitonin do? where is it released from?
calcitonin helps to regulate calcium levels in the blood. it acts to lower the calcium levels by inhibiting osteoclasts, preventing the breakdown of bone. It is released from the thyroid gland from the C cells.
What does parathyroid hormone do? where is it released from?
opposes calcitonin. promotes the break down of bone and inhibits the formation of new bone. also promotes vitamin D production in the kidneys. It is released from the parathyroid glands.
What is released by the adrenal medulla?
adrenaline and noradrenaline.
what are the main constituents of skin?
keratinocytes and melanocytes.
what does multipotent mean?
cells that can differentiate into any type of blood cell. multi potent cells are in the bone marrow
what does pluripotent mean?
cells that can differentiate into any type of body cell
what does totipotent mean?
cells that are present at embryonic stage, they can differentiate into the placenta as well as body cells.
what are the two types of sweat gland and where do they secrete?
eccrine - small glands that secrete directly onto the skin, found in most places. apocrine - found at the armpits and anus, larger glands that secrete into the canal of a hair follicle.
what are spinous cells?
keratin producing cells with many intercellular connection found in the epidermis of the skin.
what is the outermost layer of the epidermis and what is its function?
striatum corneum = 10-30 layers of cells thick, corneocytes connected by corneodesmosomes, tough outer layer which is the first line of protection against foreign bodies.
name the other layers of the epidermis.
(striatum lutium), striatum granulosum - keratinocytes have lost their nucleus and have granules, striatum spinosum - granules are joined by desmosomes and langerhans cells are present here, and basal layer.
what are langerhan cells
immune cells located in the striatum spinosum of the epidermis.
why is the rate of corneodesmosome breakdown important?
too little = psoriasis, too much = atopic eczema
describe the physiology behind acne.
hair follicles narrow by hypercornification. this increases sebaceous fluid production. the increased sebum makes skin oily and the hair follicle becomes completely blocked. this leads to stagnation of sebum which causes the multiplication of the propioni bacterium acne. the p. acne break down triglyerides into fatty acids and cause inflammation. the p. acne then attack neurophils and pus formation begins.
give the percentages of blood that different organs receive.
lungs = 100%, liver and digestive system = 27%, skeletal muscle = 21%, kidneys = 20%, brain = 14%, bone and other = 9%, skin = 5%, heart = 4%
where is ADH synthesised?
paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei
which section of the loop of hence is impermeable to water?
thick ascending limb
describe the process of bicarbonate reabsorption. where does it take place?
proximal convoluted tubule. An Na/H+ antiporter on the luminal membrance moves H+ into the tubule. This H+ combines with bicarbonate to produce carbonic acid. This is then converted into water and carbon dioxide by carbonic anhydrase enzyme. carbon dioxide can now diffuse into the cell. Within the cell, the CO2 then recombines with water to make carbonic acid. Carbonic anhydrase then forms H+ and bicarbonate. H+ is recycled by the original antiporter back into the luminal membrane and bicarbonate is moved across the basolateral membrane by a Na/3HCO3- symporter into the blood.
which part of the tubule has leaky epithelium?
PCT
describe the actions of atrial neurotic peptide? where is it synthesised?
in the atria. it is a vasodilator. it inhibits the release of aldosterone, inhibits Na reabsorption and closes ENaC channels.
what are EnaC channels, where are they located and how are they affected hormonally?
mainly at the distal convoluted tubule, some at the collecting duct. they are epithelial sodium channels. They are affected by Aldosterone released by the adrenal cortex. aldosterone has both cytoplasmic and cell surface receptors that can increase the number of ENaC and K+/Na+ anti porter channels, and increase the ENaCs respectively.
Give the percentage reabsorption’s of Na along the tubule.
100% filtered. 60% in PCT, 25% in ascending loop of hence by active transport. 10% in DCT. 4% in collecting duct. 1% is excreted in the urine!
what is reabsorbed at the PCT?
60% NaCl, 60% water, 100% glucose, 100% amino acids, 90% HCO3-
what is secreted at the PCT?
uric acid, organic acids
what is reabsorbed at the loop of hence?
25% NaCl by NKCC2 cotransporter, water
what is reabsorbed at the DCT?
10% NaCl, water
what is secreted at the DCT?
K+, H+
what is reabsorbed at the collecting duct?
urea, 4% NaCl, water
what is excreted from the collecting duct?
urea, creatinine, 1% NaCl, water
what is an average GFR, what is the GFR and how is it measured?
100 ml/min, glomerular filtration rate, creatinine levels in the urine. creatinine should not be reabsorbed, so it is a measure of direct GFR
What are the 3 components of the filtration membrane?
fenestrated endothelium of the glomerular filtrate, basement membrane, podocyte finger-like projections with filtration slits.
Which proteins are essential for the functioning of the slit diaphragm?
Nephrin, and Podocin
What are the normal Na levels in the extracellular and intracellular fluid?
140 mM and 5 mM
what are the actions of the macula densa if the Na conc of the DCT is too high?
constrict the afferent arteriole, so that the GFR is lower. the efferent hydrostatic pressure and therefore the vasa recta hydrostatic pressure will be lower so NaCl and water will be reabsorbed more in the PCT. This will lower the NaCl conc at the DCT.
What are the actions of the RAAS system?
efferent arteriole vasoconsriction to raise GFR, general vasoconstriction to raise BP, insertion and activation of ENaCs in DCT, increase in sympathetic stimulation, stimulation of ADH release from PP
What is tamm-horsfall protein? what is its alternative name? where is it produced?
produced in ascending loop of henle, uromodulin. is thought to reduce the risk of UTIs
what is a healthy amount of urinary protein? which are the most common?
40-80 mg/day, 20-30 = uromodulin,
Forces acting on the glomerular capillaries
hydrostatic, oncotic, Bowman’s space pressure.
Why do the pressures reach equilibrium half way along the glomerular capillary?
so that if you have eaten a high protein meal, there is time for further filtration.
what are mesangial cells?
extraglomerular mesingial cells are part of the juxtoglomerular apparatus. intraglomerular cells are pericytes, they cover 30% of the glomerular capillaries.
how much blood travels through the kidneys in a minute?
1L
what are the functions of the kidney?
maintaining water, K, NaCl, H+ balance. excretion of urea, uric acid, organic acid, creatinine. secrete hormones - erythropoietin, Renin, Vit D.
describe the passage of blood into the kidneys
renal artery, segmental arteries, interlobar arteries, arcuate arteries, interlobular arteries or vasa recta, afferent arterioles.
Which channels are on the luminal membrane of the PCT?
glucose/Na symporter, phosphate/Na symporter and an Na+/H+ antiporter, K+ simply diffuses
Which channels are on the basolateral membrane of the PCT?
3Na+/2K+ ATPase, uses active transport to drive a gradient.
Which channels are on the luminal membrane of the Loop of Henle?
NKCC2 and ROMK (K+ recycled)
Which channels are on the basolateral membrane of the Loop of Henle?
3Na+/2K+ ATPase and CLCNKB (Cl- moves through to blood)