Ultrafiltration

Question 1

Ultrafiltration defintion

Answer 1

In the kidney tubules is a specialised form of process that results in the formation of tissue fluid in the capillary beds of the body and it is the result of the structure of the glomerulus and the cells lining the Bowman’s capsule.

Question 2

Why is there considerable pressure in the capillaries of the glomerulus?

Answer 2

-Wide afferent arteriole from renal artery
-Narrower efferent arteriole

Question 3

What does this pressure result in?

Answer 3

-Forces blood out through the capillary wall-acting like a sieve

Question 4

After sieve…

Answer 4

…1.fluid passes through basement membrane
(network of collagen fibres and other proteins that make up second ‘sieve’)
-most plasma contents can pass through basement membrane but blood cells and many proteins are retained because of size

Question 5

Wall of Bowman’s capsule

Answer 5

-podocytes that act as additional filter
-have extensions called pedicels that wrap around capillaries forming slits that make sure any cells, platelets or large plasma proteins do not get through tubule