ultrafiltration

Question 1

where does ultrafiltration occur

Answer 1

afferent arteriole

Question 2

why is the afferent arteriole thicker than the efferent arteriole

Answer 2

to create a filtration pressure gradient in the glomerulus to force substances out

Question 3

why does the glomerulus have a basement membrane

Answer 3

acts as the first filter

Question 4

what is the function of the basement membrane

Answer 4

has endothelium gaps to allow small substances to pass through, blocks RBC, WBC and large plasma proteins

Question 5

why does the bowmans capsule wall have podocytes

Answer 5

specialised cells acting as a 2nd filter

Question 6

how do podocytes act as a 2nd filter

Answer 6

has extensions called pedicels which is a backup system in the occasion that the basement membrane is damaged stopping RBC, WBC and plasma proteins

Question 7

what happens to the molecules that are too large to pass into the bowmans capsule

Answer 7

they pass through networks of vessels in the glomerulus and then leave via the efferent arteriole

Question 8

what happens to the substances that were small enough to pass into the bowmans capsule

Answer 8

now called filtrate, the useful substances of the filtrate (glucose, water, vitamins, amino acids, hormones) get reabsorbed