Renal structure and function: macromolecules Flashcards
What are the three main actions that occur in the nephron?
1.
2.
3.
Filtration
Secretion
Absorption
What is filtered from the glomerulus?
Plasma
Where is the major site of reabsorption in the nephron?
PT
What are the main components that are reabsorbed?
Na
Glucose
Where is the major site of secretion in the nephron?
DT
What are the main components that are secreted?
K
Organic acids
What are the two different types of nephron?
Cortical
Juxtamedullary
How does blood enter the glomerulus?
Via the afferent arteriole
How does blood exit the glomerulus?
Via the efferent arteriole
Which of the following is largest, afferent arteriole or efferent arteriole?
Afferent
_____ cells provide support and structure to the glomerulus.
Mesangial
What would happen if the podocyte pedicles get further apart?
Lose the ability to effectively filter the ultrafiltrate, meaning they will allow large molecules such as proteins and cells to exit the capillaries
Outline the course the ultrafiltrate passes to become urine.
Glomerulus, Bowman’s space/urinary space, PT, LOH, DT, CD, renal papilla renal pelvis, ureter, bladder, urethra
The endothelium of the glomerular capillaries contains _____ that allow the passage of filtrate from the capillaries.
Fenestrations
What properties of the basement membrane make it a barrier to filtration?
It is a thick acellular negatively charged glycocalyx
Proteins within the plasma tend to be negatively charged, therefore the basement membrane repels them
What effect does hypertension have on the basement membrane?
It increases the thickness of it to try and oppose the increase in pressure being exerted on it by high blood pressure
Apart from filtration, what other functions do pedicels have with regards to the capillaries?
Support the capillaries
What size molecules can easily pass through the filtration apparatus?
Molecules less then 7000 daltons
Glomerular filtrate is essentially a _____ free filtrate of plasma.
Protein
Name five molecules that the glomerular filtrate contains.
Glucose Amino acids Hormones Salts Vitamins Water Urea (Plasma proteins, but very little)
In the normal animal, what should be reabsorbed from the glomerular filtrate?
Glucose Amino acids Hormones Salts Vitamins Water Plasma proteins (if present) (Some urea)
What is glomerular filtration rate?
The volume of fluid filtered from the glomerular capillaries to the Bowman’s space per minute
GFR can be used as a measure of _____ _____.
Renal function
GFR is not measured in practice easily and tends to be done more in research. Why is this?
Variations in animal based on size and age of the animal
GFR will be different in an animal that is very lean compared to an animal that has lots of fat
Other tests are more appropriate for looking at renal function in practice.
What part of the nephron follows the Bowman’s capsule?
PT
What is the main function of the PT?
Bulk reabsorption