Chap 17

Flashcards reviewing the key vocabulary and concepts of the urinary system, kidneys, and nephrons discussed in the lecture.

Kidney Functions

Regulate H2O balance, regulate electrolyte balance, help maintain proper acid-base balance, eliminate wastes, excrete foreign compounds, gluconeogenesis, secretion of hormones.

Urinary System

Urine forming organs (kidneys) and structures that carry urine from the kidneys for elimination (ureters, urinary bladder, urethra).

Nephron

Functional unit of the kidney; smallest unit that can perform all kidney functions.

Renal Corpuscle

Initial filtering component of the nephron; forms filtrate, similar to plasma except protein-free.

Tubule

Extends from corpuscle, adds or removes filtrate.

Afferent Arteriole

Small branch of renal artery that filters blood in the glomerulus.

Glomerulus

Capillary bed within Bowman's capsule that filters blood.

Efferent Arteriole

Transports blood away from the glomerulus.

Tubule (Components)

Hollow, fluid-filled tube comprised of Bowman’s capsule, proximal tubule, Loop of Henle, distal tubule, and collecting duct.

Glomerular Filtration

Formation of plasma filtrate.

Tubular Reabsorption

Transport OUT of tubular lumen.

Tubular Secretion

Transport INTO tubular lumen.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

Volume of fluid filtered from glomeruli into Bowman’s space per unit of time.

Transepithelial Transport (Tubular Reabsorption)

Reabsorption relies on diffusion and mediated transport coupled with Na+ reabsorption.

Transcellular Transport (Tubular Secretion)

Kidney tubules selectively add substances to the filtered substances.

Renal Clearance

Kidneys remove excess ions and wastes from blood.

Juxtaglomerular Cells (JGA)

Specialized cells in the kidney that release renin.

Macula Densa

Area of specialized cells in the distal tubule that monitor filtrate composition and affect GFR.

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)

Controls aldosterone secretion, stimulates Na+ reabsorption, and stimulates K+ secretion.

ADH (Vasopressin)

Acts to insert aquaporins into distal collecting duct to promote water reabsorption.