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Multiple Choice
Which of the following would decrease the glomerular filtration rate?
A
Decreased sympathetic nervous system activity
B
Increased blood pressure
C
Constriction of the afferent arteriole
D
Dilation of the afferent arteriole
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the role of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in kidney function. GFR is the rate at which the kidneys filter blood, and it is influenced by the blood flow into the glomeruli.
Identify the factors that affect GFR. These include blood pressure, the diameter of the afferent and efferent arterioles, and the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.
Consider the effect of arteriole diameter on GFR. The afferent arteriole brings blood to the glomerulus. Constriction of the afferent arteriole reduces blood flow into the glomerulus, thereby decreasing GFR.
Contrast this with dilation of the afferent arteriole, which increases blood flow into the glomerulus and thus increases GFR.
Evaluate the impact of sympathetic nervous system activity and blood pressure. Decreased sympathetic activity generally leads to vasodilation, increasing GFR, while increased blood pressure can increase GFR unless counteracted by autoregulatory mechanisms.