Kidney

These flashcards cover key concepts related to kidney functions, the structure of nephrons, and the mechanisms of glomerular filtration.

What are the three vital functions of the kidneys?

Filtration, Reabsorption, and Excretion.

What drives the movement of blood from the afferent arterioles into the glomerulus?

Systemic blood pressure.

What is the role of the capsular space?

It separates the blood in the glomerulus from the filtrate.

What type of pressure opposes the glomerular hydrostatic pressure?

Capsular hydrostatic pressure and blood colloid osmotic pressure.

What is the formula for calculating excretion in the kidneys?

Filtration + Secretion - Reabsorption = Excretion.

What influences the glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?

Neural and hormonal factors, with atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) increasing GFR.

What is the glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?

A measure of net filtration pressure over time.

What are the characteristics of the filtration membrane?

It is a selectively permeable membrane with a negative charge.

What materials can pass through the glomerular filtration membrane?

Urea, glucose, water, and ions can pass through.

How does the size of molecules affect glomerular filtration?

Larger molecules like RBCs, WBCs, platelets, and proteins cannot pass through.

What are the three vital functions of the kidneys?

Filtration, Reabsorption, and Excretion.

What drives the movement of blood from the afferent arterioles into the glomerulus?

Systemic blood pressure.

What is the role of the capsular space?

It separates the blood in the glomerulus from the filtrate.

What type of pressure opposes the glomerular hydrostatic pressure?

Capsular hydrostatic pressure and blood colloid osmotic pressure.

What is the formula for calculating excretion in the kidneys?

Filtration + Secretion - Reabsorption = Excretion.

What influences the glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?

Neural and hormonal factors, with atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) increasing GFR.

What is the glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?

A measure of net filtration pressure over time.

What are the characteristics of the filtration membrane?

It is a selectively permeable membrane with a negative charge.

What materials can pass through the glomerular filtration membrane?

Urea, glucose, water, and ions can pass through.

How does the size of molecules affect glomerular filtration?

Larger molecules like RBCs, WBCs, platelets, and proteins cannot pass through.

What are the three layers that form the glomerular filtration membrane?

The fenestrated endothelium, the glomerular basement membrane, and the podocytes with their filtration slits.

What type of cells form the inner layer of the glomerular capillaries, and what is their function?

Fenestrated endothelial cells, which have pores that allow plasma and dissolved solutes to pass through, but block blood cells.

What is the overall formula for calculating Net Filtration Pressure (NFP) in the glomerulus?

NFP = GHP - (CHP + BCOP), where GHP is Glomerular Hydrostatic Pressure, CHP is Capsular Hydrostatic Pressure, and BCOP is Blood Colloid Osmotic Pressure.

What is the primary role of podocytes in glomerular filtration?

Podocytes extend foot processes that interdigitate to form filtration slits, which further restrict the passage of large proteins.