Wk 11: Urinary Sytem

Question 1

Functions of the urinary system (5)

Answer 1

1. Removal of waste products from blood
2. Reabsorption of essential nutrients
3. Regulation of blood volume
4. Regulation of blood pressure
5. Regulation of plasma ion conc

Question 2

What is the kidney surrounded by

Answer 2

A tough fibrous capsule

Question 3

What is the functional unit of the kidney

Answer 3

Nephron

Question 4

What is contained within the renal corpuscle of nephron (2)

Answer 4

1. Bowman’s capsule
2. Glomerulus

Question 5

What is contained within the renal tubule of the nephron (4)

Answer 5

1. Proximal convoluted tubule
2. Loop of Henle
3. Distal convoluted tubule
4. Collecting tubule

Question 6

Function of renal tubule

Answer 6

Selective reabsorption of water, inorganic ions & other molecules from glomerular filtrate

Question 7

Why is the diameter of the efferent arteriole smaller than that of the afferent arteriole

Answer 7

To maintain a pressure gradient that drives the filtration of plasma into Bowman’s space

Question 8

Function of the renal corpuscle

Answer 8

Site of plasma filtration

Question 9

What is the outer wall of the Bowman’s capsule made of

Answer 9

Parietal epithelium

Question 10

What is the inner wall of the Bowman’s capsule made of

Answer 10

Visceral epithelium

Question 11

What kind of cells does the Bowman’s capsule contain

Answer 11

Podocytes

Question 12

What is the glomerulus made up of

Answer 12

A fenestrated capillary network

Question 13

What is mesangium

Answer 13

Supporting connective tissue

Question 14

What kind of epithelium is the PCT made up of

Answer 14

Simple cuboidal epithelium with microvilli

Question 15

Function of PCT

Answer 15

Reabsorbs nutrients, ions, water, plasma proteins

Question 16

What kind of epithelium is the thin/ascending limb of the loop of henle made of

Answer 16

Simple squamous epithelium

Question 17

What kind of epithelium is the thick/descending limb of the loop of henle made of

Answer 17

Simple cuboidal epithelium

Question 18

Function of loop of henle

Answer 18

• Similar to PCT
• Reabsorbs nutrients, ions, water, plasma proteins

Question 19

What kind of epithelium is the DCT made of

Answer 19

Simple cuboidal epithelium

Question 20

2 functions of DCT

Answer 20

1. Reabsorbs ions & water
2. Secretes acids, drugs, toxins

Question 21

How is the DCT differentiated from the PCT histologically (4)

Answer 21

• DCT has no brush border
• DCT has larger & more clearly defined lumen
• DCT has more nuclei per cross section
• DCT has paler nuclei

Question 22

What is the juxtaglomerular apparatus made of

Answer 22

• Macula densa of DCT
• Juxtaglomerular cells of afferent arteriole

Question 23

What do the uxtaglomerular apparatuses secrete (2)

Answer 23

1. Renin for blood pressure regulation
2. Erythropoietin for erythrocyte production

Question 24

Function of juxtaglomerular apparatus

Answer 24

Involved in regulation of systemic blood pressure

Question 25

What kind of epithelium are collecting tubules made of

Answer 25

Simple cuboidal epithelium

Question 26

What kind of epithelium are collecting ducts made of

Answer 26

Simple columnar epithelium

Question 27

What kind of epithelium are papillary (bellini) ducts made of

Answer 27

Simple columnar epithelium