BIO 132 – Anatomy and Physiology II

LECTURE 20:  PHYSIOLOGY OF THE URINARY SYSTEM I: GLOMERULAR FILTRATION

Study Outline

 

20.1.  Overview of Renal Physiology:

a.       The three basic processes performed by the nephron and collecting ducts are _____________________________, _______________________________, and ________________________________________.

b.      The first step in urine production is ________________________________ involving the transfer of water and solutes from plasma to ____________________________________________.

c.       As filtered fluid and solutes pass along the nephron, most of this material is returned to _______________________ or ____________________________ in a process called ______________________________________.

d.      In addition, as fluid moves along the nephron, materials can be added to tubular fluid in a process called ____________________________________.

e.       The excretion rate for any substance is equal to the _____________________ rate minus the _________________________________ rate plus the _____________________________ rate.

 

20.2.  Glomerular Filtration:

a.       Glomerular capillaries are specialized for filtration by __________________________________ than most capillaries, and are subject to higher __________________________________ than most capillaries

b.      The filtration barrier excludes substances on the basis of __________________________ and ____________________________.

c.       In general small molecules like water, ions, glucose and amino acids freely pass the filtration barrier so that their concentration in plasma is __________________________ to their concentration in the glomerular filtrate.  By contrast, most _____________________________ are excluded from the filtrate and their presence in urine indicates a problem in glomerular filtration.

 

20.3.  Net Filtration Pressure:

a.       Glomerular filtration depends on three of the four _____________________ forces.  Only _____________________________ is essentially zero because negligible amounts of protein are found in the capsular space (=space of Bowman’s capsule).

b.      The glomerular hydrostatic pressure (GHP) is relatively ________________________ compared to other capillaries because of the series arrangement of glomerular capillaries between two high resistance arterioles.  A typical value of GHP is ____________________________ compared to ______________________________ in most capillaries.  Also unlike most capillaries, the GHP does not vary along the capillary length.

c.       The hydrostatic pressure within the __________________________________ tends to oppose GHP, and so is called the ____________________________ (CHP).  CHP is on the order of ___________________________________.

d.      Like other capillaries filtration is opposed in glomerular capillaries by the ________________________________ (COP), attributable to the osmotic pressures exerted by plasma proteins

e.       The net filtration pressure (NFP) can be calculated by subtracting the ____________________________________________ from the _________________________________________.  Specifically the NFP is equal to _________________________ minus _________________________ minus _______________________________.  Under typical conditions, NFP is positive on the order of _________________________ favoring filtration.

 

20.4.  Glomerular Filtration Rate:

a.       The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the amount of filtrate formed in all renal corpuscles of both kidneys per unit time.  A typical GFR is on the order of _____________________________ L/day or when expressed per minute, ___________________________________.

b.      It is important that GFR be maintained at a relatively constant value because if GFR were to become too high, certain substances would pass through the nephron _____________________ and thus be _______________________.  Conversely, if GFR were to become too low, nearly all the filtrate might be ____________________________________ and so waste products will be _____________________________________.

c.       GFR depends on _______________________________________________, ______________________________, and ____________________________.  With respect to the net filtration pressure, an increase in blood pressure will __________________________________ GFR whereas a decrease in blood pressure will _____________________________ GFR. 

 

20.5.  Regulation of GFR:

a.       There are three basic mechanisms which help maintain constant GFR:  ______________________________, _______________________________, and _______________________________.

b.      ____________________________ refers to the kidney’s ability to maintain a constant renal blood flow and GFR despite changes in systemic arterial pressure.  Renal autoregulation takes the form of two distinct mechanisms called _____________________________ and ________________________.

c.       As a result of the myogenic mechanism, an increase in blood pressure within the afferent arteriole will cause this vessel to __________________________ which in turn will cause GFR to ____________________________________.  Conversely a fall in blood pressure will result in _______________________ of the smooth muscle of this vessel so that GFR _______________________.

d.      As a result of tubuloglomerular feedback, an increase in GFR will result in a _______________________________ of the afferent arteriole so that GFR is reduced.  The sensory input to this reflex involves increase flow of water and NaCl past the ______________________________ which in turn leads to the release of a ________________________________ substance.

e.       GFR is also subject to extrinsic regulation in the form of _________________ regulation and _____________________ regulation.

f.        At moderate levels of sympathetic stimulation, the afferent and efferent arterioles constrict to about the same extent so that GFR _________________.  With higher levels of sympathetic stimulation, the afferent arteriole constricts ____________________ than the efferent so that GFR __________________.

g.       Sympathetic input to JG cells results in an increase in ___________________ release.

h.       The two hormones which affect GFR are ____________________________ and ____________________________.  Angiotensin II causes both arterioles to _______________________ which results in a ____________________ in GFR.  By contrast, ANP causes GFR to ____________________________ by acting on ______________________ cells causing them to relax and thereby increasing the capillary surface area available for filtration.