The renal system

Question 1

Give two main functions of the renal system

Answer 1

Excretion or removal of waste from the body including urea.

Osmoregulation - regulation of water balance.

Question 2

Give the components of the renal system

Answer 2

Kidney
Nephron
Loop of Henle
Ureter
Bladder
Urethra
Bowman’s capsule
Glomerulus

Question 3

What is the nephron surrounded by?

Answer 3

Capillaries

Question 4

What do many nephrons connect with?

Answer 4

Collecting ducts

Question 5

Where is the blood filtered and other useful substances absorbed?

Answer 5

The nephron

Question 6

How does the nephron have a large surface area for exchange?

Answer 6

Due to it’s length.

Question 7

Role of Loop of Henle

Answer 7

Helps maintain a concentration gradient

Question 8

Role of Bowman’s capsule

Answer 8

Helps glomerulus filter blood

Question 9

Role of glomerulus

Answer 9

Filters blood

Question 10

How is urea removed from the blood?

Answer 10

This is done via ultrafiltration and happens at the start of the nephron in the Bowman’s capsule.

Question 11

Why does high pressure develop in the glomerulus?

Answer 11

Because the diameter of the afferent arteriole is smaller than the efferent leading to the pressure forcing fluids out of the capillaries forming the filtrate.

Question 12

1st step of urine production

Answer 12

Filtrate moves along the length of the nephron

Question 13

2nd step of urine production

Answer 13

Composition changes to the filtrate in the nephron meaning it becomes urine.

Question 14

3rd step of urine production

Answer 14

Urine enters the collecting ducts and is taken to the ureter.

Question 15

Substances such as glucose, amino acids are reabsorbed by mechanism of co-transport. Where does this take place?

Answer 15

In the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT)

Question 16

Mineral ions may need to be reabsorbed if there is excess within the blood. Where does this type of reabsorption occur?

Answer 16

In the distal convoluted tubule (DCT)

Question 17

What is chronic kidney disease?

Answer 17

Gradual loss of kidney function over a period of months or years.

Question 18

Give the causes of CKD

Answer 18

The three main causes are:
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Kidney inflammation

Question 19

What can become damaged in CKD?

Answer 19

The capillaries that are in the glomerulus that interferes with the ultrafiltration and absorption.

Question 20

What are some other causes of CKD?

Answer 20

High cholesterol
Kidney infections
Autosomal Dominant polycystic kidney disease
Blockages in the flow of urine
Long-term use of medicines.

Question 21

Give the physical impact of CKD

Answer 21

Swelling of the ankles, feet, hands caused by water retention
Tiredness and SOB
Blood in the urine

Question 22

How can CKD be controlled?

Answer 22

Weight loss
Low protein and low-salt diet with a combination of medicines to reduce BP and cholesterol levels.

Question 23

What does renal dialysis do?

Answer 23

Removes urea and maintains level of minerals

Question 24

Hemodialysis

Answer 24

Patient is attached to a machine and is usually performed in a center for three days a week with each session last around four hours.

Question 25

What is peritoneal dialysis?

Answer 25

It uses the peritoneum which is the lining of the Abdo wall and a dialysis fluid bag is inserted with a catheter permanently into the abdo wall.

The fluid flows through the abdominal cavity and is left for four hours and drains back into the bag to be replaced with fluids.

Question 26

When are kidney transplants avaliable?

Answer 26

For those who go into kidney failure.