The structure of the kidneys

• what is the role of a nephron?

  to filter the blood
• what is the function of the Glomerulus?

  capillary network where blood undergoes ultrafiltration
• what is the function of the Bowman’s Capsule?

  where substances filtered from the blood pass into
• what is the function of the Proximal Convoluted tubule?

  where some useful substances are selectively reabsorbed back into the blood
• what is the function of the loop of henle?

  helps reabsorb some water and salts and helps to concentrate the urine, increasing salt concentration of the tissue fluid so that ADH can then reabsorb water
• what is the function of the distal convoluted tubule?

  active transport is used to adjust concentration of salts
• what is the function of the collecting duct?

  osmoregulation controls final urine concentration by changing the volume of water that is reabsorbed, due to loop of henle the water potential of the collecting duct is more than that of the surrounding tissue so water can continue to be reabsorbed
• what is the largest relative mass/size that can be filtered?

  69000
• why is the nephron convoluted?

  to increase surface area
• why are there many capillaries around each nephron?

  maintain high blood gradient since there is so much reabsorption
• what is the difference between afferent and efferent arterioles?

  afferent is towards, efferent is away
• are erythrocytes a part of urine?

  no, too big to move through bowman’s capsule so stays in blood
• is glucose filtered in the nephrons?

  glucose is filtered partially at the bowman’s capsule, and then is all reabsorbed in the proximal convoluted tubule, none in urine
• is water reabsorbed in the nephrons?

  yes, water is filtered at the bowman’s capsule and some is reabsorbed through the rest of the nephron with some still left in the urine
• are proteins reabsorbed in the nephrons?

  yes but only smaller proteins than 69000, larger proteins stay in the blood
• is urea reabsorbed in the nephrons?

  no, urea is filtered at the Bowmans capsule but none is reabsorbed, most/all is left in the urine
• are salts reabsorbed in the nephrons?


  yes, they are filtered at the bowmans capsule and some is reabsorbed in the rest of the nephron leaving some in the urine
• what is released when you are dehydrated?

  AHD to increase water absorption at the collecting duct
• annotate the diagram

  A) cortex

  B) branch of renal vein

  C) branch of renal artery

  D) pelvis

  E) ureter

  F) medulla

  G) capsule

  H) pyramid

  I) position of nephron tubules

  
• annotate the diagram

  A) proximal convoluted tubule

  B) Bowman's Capsule

  C) glomerulus

  D) loop of henle

  E) Distal convoluted tubule

  F) Collecting Duct

  G) descending limb

  H) ascending limb

  I) afferent arteriole

  J) efferent arteriole