Table of contents

1. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology5h 43m
2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components12h 36m
3. Energy & Cell Processes10h 6m
4. Tissues & Histology10h 3m
5. Integumentary System2h 20m
6. Bones & Skeletal Tissue2h 16m
7. The Skeletal System2h 35m
8. Joints2h 17m
9. Muscle Tissue2h 33m
10. Muscles1h 11m
11. Nervous Tissue and Nervous System1h 35m
12. The Central Nervous System1h 6m
- Introduction to the Central Nervous System
  18m
- The Cerebrum
  48m
13. The Peripheral Nervous System1h 26m
14. The Autonomic Nervous System1h 38m
15. The Special Senses2h 41m
16. The Endocrine System2h 48m
17. The Blood3h 22m
18. The Heart3h 42m
19. The Blood Vessels3h 35m
20. The Lymphatic System3h 16m
21. The Immune System14h 37m
22. The Respiratory System3h 20m
23. The Digestive System2h 5m
24. Metabolism and Nutrition4h 0m
25. The Urinary System2h 39m
26. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance, Acid Base Balance37m
27. The Reproductive System2h 5m
28. Human Development1h 21m
29. Heredity3h 32m

25. The Urinary System

Renal Physiology Step 1: Glomerular Filtration

Anatomy & Physiology

25. The Urinary System

Renal Physiology Step 1: Glomerular Filtration

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2:47 minutes

Problem 6

Textbook Question

Filtration at the glomerulus is inversely related to
a. Water reabsorption
b. Capsular hydrostatic pressure
c. Arterial blood pressure
d. Acidity of the urine

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of glomerular filtration: Filtration at the glomerulus is the process by which blood plasma is filtered through the glomerular capillaries into the Bowman's capsule. This process is driven by pressure gradients, including glomerular hydrostatic pressure, capsular hydrostatic pressure, and blood colloid osmotic pressure.

Identify the factors affecting glomerular filtration: Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is influenced by pressures such as glomerular hydrostatic pressure (promotes filtration), capsular hydrostatic pressure (opposes filtration), and blood colloid osmotic pressure (opposes filtration). These pressures interact to determine the net filtration pressure.

Focus on capsular hydrostatic pressure: Capsular hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by the fluid already present in the Bowman's capsule. If this pressure increases, it opposes the movement of fluid from the glomerulus into the capsule, thereby reducing filtration.

Relate capsular hydrostatic pressure to filtration: Since capsular hydrostatic pressure opposes filtration, an increase in this pressure will inversely affect the filtration rate at the glomerulus. This means that higher capsular hydrostatic pressure leads to lower filtration.

Eliminate unrelated options: Water reabsorption, arterial blood pressure, and urine acidity are not directly related to the inverse relationship with glomerular filtration. Capsular hydrostatic pressure is the correct factor that inversely affects filtration at the glomerulus.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

The Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) is a measure of how much blood is filtered by the glomeruli in the kidneys per minute. It is crucial for understanding kidney function and is influenced by various factors, including blood pressure and the pressure within the renal capsule. A higher GFR indicates more filtration, while a lower GFR suggests reduced kidney function.

Capsular Hydrostatic Pressure

Capsular hydrostatic pressure refers to the pressure exerted by the fluid in the Bowman's capsule surrounding the glomerulus. This pressure opposes the filtration process, meaning that as capsular pressure increases, the rate of filtration decreases. Understanding this relationship is essential for analyzing how changes in pressure affect kidney function.

Arterial Blood Pressure

Arterial blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels. It plays a critical role in glomerular filtration, as higher arterial pressure typically increases GFR by enhancing the pressure gradient for filtration. Conversely, lower arterial pressure can lead to reduced filtration rates, highlighting the importance of maintaining adequate blood pressure for kidney health.

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Textbook Question

The glomerular capillaries differ from other capillary networks in the body because they

a. Have a larger area of anastomosis

b. Are derived from and drain into arterioles

c. Are not made of endothelium

d. Are sites of filtrate formation

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Textbook Question

More than one choice may apply.

What is the glomerulus?

a. The same as the renal tubule

b. The same as Bowman's capsule

c. The same as the nephron

d. Capillaries

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Textbook Question

Explain the process and purpose of tubular secretion.

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Textbook Question

Explain the important differences between blood plasma and glomerular filtrate, and relate the differences to the structure of the filtration membrane.

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Textbook Question

More than one choice may apply.

Which of the following is dependent on tubular secretion?

a. Clearing penicillin from the blood

b. Removal of nitrogenous wastes that have been reabsorbed

c. Removal of excess potassium ions from the blood

d. Control of blood pH

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Textbook Question

Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.

d. Filtrate flows from the renal corpuscle to the distal tubule, the nephron loop, the proximal tubule, and into the collecting system.

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Textbook Question

Describe the structure of the filtration membrane.

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Textbook Question

Which of the following substances would pass through the filtration membrane to become part of the filtrate under normal circumstances? (Circle all that apply.)

a. Sodium ions

b. Albumin

c. Glucose

d. Erythrocytes

e. Leukocytes

f. Amino acids

g. Urea

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