Renal Function 9/11 Flashcards
What are the 6 major functions of the kidney?
- Urine formation
- Maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance
- Regulation of acid-base balance
- Excretion
- Endocrine functions
- Plasma protein conservation
What 3 processes are involved in urine formation?
- Glomerular filtration of blood
- Tubular reabsorption of useful molecules
- Tubular secretion of wastes, or compounds/electrolytes in excess of the bodys needs
What is the glomerular filtration rate?
130ml/min (of blood filtered through the glomerulus/bowmans capsule)
What is the physiological role of the glomerulus?
Filtration of blood
What is the physiological role of proximal convoluted tubule?
Reabsorbs water, all glucose, salts, amino acids, and to varying extents urea, uric acid, bicarbonate, phosphate, chloride, potassium and magnesium
Secretes products of metabolism eg salts, H+ and ammonia
What is the physiological role of the loop of Henle?
Aids in reabsorption of water, Na+ and Cl-
What is the physiological role of distal tubule?
Adjusts for electrolyte and acid-base balance homeostasis through control of ADH and aldosterone
(reabsorbs/secretes K+ depending on bodys needs, aldosterone stimulates Na+ reabsorption and K+ secretion, secretes ammonia, uric acid and H+, reabsorbs HCO3-)
What is the physiological role of collecting duct?
Final site for concentrating/diluting urine - controls reabsorption of water, Na+, Cl-, and urea
How is urea formed?
Formed as part of protein metabolism - amino group removed from the amino acid (deamination) produces NH4+ which is toxic, converted to urea by the liver
What hormone stimulates Na+ and K+ reabsorption and secretion?
Aldosterone
How does the kidney regulate fluid balance?
Regulates fluid output to cope with extremes of overhydration or dehydration
What molecules does the kidney regulate in electrolyte balance?
Sodium
Chloride
Potassium
Calcium and Magnesium
What hormone controls calcium and magnesium balance?
PTH
How does the kidney regulate acid base balance?
HCO3- reabsorption and generation
H+ secretion into urine
What compounds does the kidney excrete?
Nitrogenous wastes such as urea, creatinine, and uric acid
Why is urea a poor indicator of renal function?
The kidneys have a large reserve capacity to excrete urea so plasma concentration does not rise until renal function is reduced to 50%
What controls the rate of urea production?
Protein in diet
Rate of protein synthesis in liver
Liver function (only place urea cycle exists so decreased liver function = increased urea levels)
How is creatinine derived?
Derived from the non-enzymatic conversion of creatine in muscle at a rate constant in proportion to muscle mass
Why is creatinine a good indicator of renal failure?
Because creatinine is freely filtered and excreted by the kidney, none is reabsorbed
How is uric acid derived?
Derived from oxidation of purines
Why is uric acid a good indicator of renal failure
Because it is freely filtered and secreted/reabsorbed by the kidney
In the 5th function of the kidney, what hormones does it produce?
5th function - endocrine function
Calcitriol/Vitamin D - inactive vitamin D is converted to the active form by an enzyme only present in the kidney
Renin - part of the RAAS system to secrete aldosterone
Erythropoitein - produced by kidneys to stimulate red blood cell production in bone marrow