Renal/Urinary System:

Question 1

Outline the structures of the urinary system, and list the functions of the kidneys.

Question 2

Outline the basic renal process, relating each step to the nephron (the functional unit of
the kidney).

Question 3

Outline the “division of labor” in the renal tubule.

Question 4

Detail the mechanisms of filtration, tubular reabsorption and tubular secretion (i.e. where
do they occur, between what, what types of substances, what factors influence/regulate
it, what types of transport etc.)

Question 5

Explain the phenomenon of transport maximum, and provide a relevant example (with
explanation).

Question 6

Explain how sodium and water, specifically, are handled in the renal tubule.

Question 7

Contrast cortical and juxtamedullay nephrons.

Question 8

Diagram how the countercurrent multiplication mechanisms supports a hyperosmotic
medullary interstitium, and explain how countercurrent exchange helps to maintain the
hyperosmotic medullary interstitium.

Question 9

Describe why the hyperosmotic medullary interstitium is critical to the kidneys ability to
produce a small volume of concentrated urine (when the body is trying to conserve
water).

Question 10

Explain the relationship between plasma volume and total body Na+.

Question 11

Describe how Na+ and water can be regulated by GFR.

Question 12

Explain the roles of the juxtaglomerular cells and the macula densa in the nephron, and
in the secretion of renin.

Question 13

Describe how renin regulates the secretion of aldosterone.

Question 14

Explain how aldosterone regulates Na+ reabsorption.

Question 15

Explain how vasopressin regulates water reabsorption.