assessment

• the nephron stretch from the cortex into the medulla
• cortical nephrons sit close to the outer cortex and some sit close to inner cortex. this is believed to be due to
• cortical nephrons sit close to the outer cortex and some sit close to the inner cortex. this is believed to have something to do with how they form during devlopment; the ones sitting in the inner cortex are believed to be formed before the ones sitting close to the outer cortex.

  
• what is the network surrounding the Bowman's Capsule?

  glomerulus is inside of it, with the afferent artery going in and the efferent artery going out.

  
• what is the nephron consisted of?

  glomerulus, renal tubules, and collecting ducts

  
• what is found mostly in the kidney cortex?

  glomeruli
• can more than one distal convoluted tubule be connected to a single collecting duct? yes
• what is the function of the glomerulus and how does it do that?

  The function of the glomerulus is to filter blood. It does this through a process called filtration, where blood pressure (created by the small size of the efferent arteriole and the big size of the afferent arteriole) forces fluid and small molecules out of the blood and into the Bowman's capsule.
• what is the function of the bowman's capsule?

  to collect whatever the glomerulus filters
• what is the function of the Proximal convoluted tubule?

  reabsorption. It reabsorbs ALL nutrients, MOST ions and secretes waste
• what does the loop of Henley create?

  creates an osmotic gradient (high concentration at the bottom)
• what is the role of the descending limb of the loop of henle? it is the site of reabsorption of water and ions
• what is the role of the ascending limb of henle?

  Reabsorption of sodium and chloride ions.
• what is the role of the distal convoluted tubule?

  it reabsorbs sodium and calcium ions and secretes potassium ions.

  Note- this reabsorption and secretion is hormone controlled (by the hormone aldosterone)
• what is the role of the collecting duct?

  concentrates urine using an osmotic gradient (i.e reabsorbs water).

  Note- there is PH homeostasis occurring in the collecting duct, urea recycling and reabsorption and secretion of various ions.
• what are the 4 main roles of the kidney in homeostasis?

  regulating blood pressure, osmoregulation, PH-homeostasis, removing soluble nitrogenous waste
• why is GFR described as the gatekeeper of renal physiology?

  GFR is described as the "gatekeeper" because it plays a crucial role in regulating the filtration of blood in the kidneys.
• what initiates the process of waste removal in the kidney?

  glomerular filtration rate
• what 3 things does the glomerular filtration rate determine?

  1. how quickly the blood is cleansed of metabolic waste ( waste produced by the body's normal cellular activities)
  2. the effectiveness of the kidneys in both tubular reabsorption and secretion.
  3. how well the kidneys are able to maintain homeostasis in the body.
• what is the value of a healthy glomerular filtration rate?

  125ml/min

  this value is the amount of filtrate formed by both kidneys in 1 minute
• what are podocytes?

  Specialized cells in the kidneys that help filter blood and form the filtration barrier in the glomerulus.

  
• how does the kidney maintain homeostasis if blood pressure is too low?

  1. kidney juxtaglomerular cells release renin
  2. triggers the formation of angiotensin II
  3. aldosterone release is stimulated
  4. blood pressure raises
• how does the kidney maintain homeostasis if blood pressure is too low?

  Renin-angiotensin pathway

  1. kidney juxtaglomerular cells release renin
  2. triggers the formation of angiotensin II
  3. aldosterone release is stimulated
  4. blood pressure raises

  Aldosterone

  1. adrenal glands release aldosterone
  2. DISTAL TUBULES reabsorb Na+
  3. more water reabsorption - capillaries fill with water and pressure is increased

  Vasopressin

  causes more water reabsorption in kidney tubules, raising blood pressure
• what is vasopressin?

  Anti-diuretic hormone (builds up water)
• where is vasopressin made?

  made in the hypothalamus, stored in pituitary glands.