Biology > Kidneys > Flashcards

Kidneys Flashcards

(44 cards)

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1
Q

What is the name for the outer layer of the kidney?

A

Renal capsule

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2
Q

What 3 vessels connect to the kidney?

A

Renal artery, renal vein and ureter

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3
Q

What is the outer section of the kidney called?

A

Renal cortex

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4
Q

Which arteriole carries blood into the glomerulus?

A

Afferent (alphabetic order)

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5
Q

What is the glomerulus?

A

A bundle of capillaries

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6
Q

Why do substances leave the blood at the glomerulus?

A
  • Efferent arteriole has smaller diameter
  • Blood is under high pressure
  • So is squeezed into Bowman’s capsule
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7
Q

How big does a molecule have to be to enter the Bowman’s capsule from the glomerulus?

A

x < 69,000 kilodaltons

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8
Q

What is the basement membrane, in-between the Bowman’s capsule, made of?

A

A mesh of collagen and glycoprotein

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9
Q

What are podocytes and how do they work?

A
  • They are specialised cells with ‘major processes’ (feet)
  • They hold cells away from capillary so substances enter capsule
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10
Q

What 3 things to substances pass through between glomerulus and Bowman’s capsule?

A
  • Endothelium of capillary
  • Basement membrane
  • Epithelium of Bowman’s
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11
Q

What does PCT stand for?

A

Proximal convoluted tubule

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12
Q

What is the filtrate composed of before entering the PCT?

A
  • Mineral ions, water, urea, glucose and small hormones
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13
Q

What process allows glucose to get from PCT to cells lining PCT?

A

Facilitated diffusion; requires a Na+ ion

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14
Q

Why do Na+ ions move from PCT lumen to cells lining PCT?

A
  • They diffuse (co-transport protein) as Na+ ions have been pumped out so conc. is low
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15
Q

Why does water move into cells lining the PCT from the PCT lumen?

A
  • H2O moves in by osmosis
  • Cell has low water potential and high concentration of solutes
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16
Q

How does microvilli on cells lining the PCT help the kidneys?

A
  • Maximises area for selective reabsorption to occur
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17
Q

Why does water/glucose/amino acids in cells lining PCT move into the blood?

A
  • Blood is flowing, maintains high conc. gradient
  • Substances diffuse/osmosise into blood
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18
Q

What is the main purpose of the loop of Henle and why?

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A
  • To make medulla salty
  • Maximises the amount of water selectively reabsorbed in collecting duct
19
Q

What does the filtrate entering the loop of Henle contain?

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A

Na+/K+/Cl- ions, water, urea + anything not selectively reabsorbed

20
Q

Explain why water molecules leave the filtrate in the descending limb of LoH

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A
  • Filtrate has very high water potential
  • Water moves out by osmosis
  • Through aquaporins
21
Q

What substance moves into the filtrate as you go down the descending limb of the LoH?

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A

Na+ and Cl- ions diffuse into filtrate

22
Q

What leaves the filtrate at the bottom of the ascending limb of the LoH?

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A

Some Na+/Cl- ions diffuse out into the medulla

23
Q

Why doesn’t water diffuse out of the ascending limb of the LoH?

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A
  • The ascending limb is impermeable to water
24
Q

What leaves the filtrate as you go up the ascending limb and how?

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A
  • Na+/Cl- ions are actively pumped out
  • This increases ion conc. of medulla
25
How would the loop of Henle of a camel be different to a human?
- Would be longer - More water leaves the descending limb - More time for ions to move into the medulla - Saltier medulla = Maximum water reabsorption
26
What occurs in the DCT in nephrons?
- Mineral ions are reabsorbed to make medulla saltier
27
Why does water move out of the collecting duct by osmosis?
- Collecting duct is in salty medulla - Very low water potential in medulla so water leaves filtrate
28
How does water leave the collecting duct?
By osmosis, through aquaporins
29
Where is blood water potential measured?
- Osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus
30
How do osmoreceptors control ADH levels?
Hypothalamus sends nerve impulses to posterior pituitary gland
31
How does ADH affect blood water potential?
- Increases, because DCT/collecting duct walls become more permeable - More water leaves filtrate and enters the blood
32
Does ADH concentration in the blood increase when blood water potential is too high or low?
Too low, ADH increases water potential of blood
33
Is blood water potential to high or too low if ADH levels are low?
High, need to get rid of more water, more dilute urine
34
What 2 parts of the nephron are in the medulla?
- Loop of Henle - Collecting duct
35
What is the GFR?
Glomerular filtration rate - The rate blood is filtered from glomerulus to Bowman's capsule
36
Give 2 causes of kidney failure
Infection High blood pressure (hypertension)
37
Explain how hypertension/high blood pressure can lead to kidney failure
Can damage glomeruli by bursting capillaries --> Allows molecules larger than 69,000 kDn's through
38
Give 3 effects of kidney failure
Fluid accumulation ---> Swelling of body part's Unbalanced electrolytes ---> Acidic blood, brittle bones Buildup of toxic waste products ---> Urea can't be removed Anaema ---> Loss of haemoglobin
39
What is the main difference between haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis?
Blood passed through machine ---> Haemodyalysis Blood passed through peritoneum
40
Give some limitations to dialysis treatment for kidney failure
- Takes 3-5 hours, 2-3 times per week - Patients can feel unwell between sessions due to buildup of toxic waste products
41
State some advantages of kidney transplants
Cheaper in the long term Much more convenient/permanent
42
Give some benefits of undergoing dialysis to treat kidney failure
Less risky than major transplant Keeps people alive untiil kidney becomes available
43
State some disadvantages of kidney transplants to treat kidney failure
Requires a risky operation Reequires constant use of immunosupressants to prevent rejection
44
How can people test athelete's urine for the presence of anabolic steroids?
Gas chromatography
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