BIOL 235 Lab Quiz 8 Topics (with Final Exam)

• This lab quiz is worth 10 points and will be attached to the final exam.

• Review Lt labs and corresponding lab slides to prepare for the lab quizzes.

LAB 15: RENAL PHYSIOLOGY

• Specific Gravity:

  • Understand the concept of specific gravity in the context of renal physiology.

  • Specific gravity measures urine solute concentration, reflecting kidney's ability to concentrate/dilute urine compared to plasma. Normal range: 1.002-1.030.

  • Know how specific gravity relates to the concentration of solutes in urine.

  • Higher specific gravity: concentrated urine (dehydration, SIADH). Lower specific gravity: diluted urine (diabetes insipidus, excessive fluid intake).

• Lab Results:

  • Review and understand the lab results related to renal function.

  • Key results: electrolytes (Na, K, Cl), BUN, creatinine, GFR.

  • Be familiar with the normal ranges for various parameters.

  • Normal ranges: creatinine (0.6-1.2 mg/dL for men, 0.5-1.1 mg/dL for women), BUN (8-20 mg/dL), GFR (>90 mL/min/1.73 m²).

• ADH Activity:

  • Understand the role of Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) in regulating water reabsorption in the kidneys.

  • ADH (vasopressin) released in response to dehydration/increased plasma osmolarity. Acts on collecting ducts to increase water reabsorption, reducing urine volume.

  • Know how ADH affects urine concentration and volume.

  • Increased ADH: concentrated urine, decreased volume. Decreased ADH: dilute urine, increased volume (e.g., diabetes insipidus).

• Renal Anatomy:

  • Review the anatomy of the kidney, including the nephron structure.

  • Kidney: cortex, medulla, renal pelvis, blood vessels. Nephron: functional unit.

  • Understand the function of each part of the nephron (glomerulus, proximal tubule, loop of Henle, distal tubule, collecting duct).

  • Glomerulus: Filters blood, forming initial filtrate.

  • Proximal Tubule: Reabsorbs most water, Na, glucose, amino acids.

  • Loop of Henle: Establishes medullary concentration gradient.

  • Distal Tubule: Regulates electrolyte/acid-base balance.

  • Collecting Duct: Final water reabsorption, determines urine concentration.

• How to Read Urinalysis Results:

  • Understand how to interpret urinalysis results.

  • Urinalysis: physical, chemical, microscopic examination. Provides information on kidney function/systemic health.

  • Know the significance of various components in a urinalysis.

  • What do the different components of a urinalysis represent?

  • Understand what each component indicates about kidney function/health.

    • Glucose: Hyperglycemia/impaired reabsorption (diabetes mellitus).

    • Protein: Glomerular damage/proteinuria (glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome).

    • Blood: Kidney damage, infection, trauma (kidney stones, UTI).

    • Ketones: Fat metabolism due to insufficient glucose (diabetes, starvation).

    • Bilirubin: Liver/biliary dysfunction (hepatitis, bile duct obstruction).

    • Urobilinogen: Liver disease/hemolytic anemia.

    • pH: Urine acidity/alkalinity (normal 4.5-8.0).

    • Specific Gravity: Urine concentration (normal 1.002-1.030).

    • Sediment: Cells, crystals, casts indicate kidney disease/infection.

  • What pathologies can you see from abnormal results?

  • Understand diseases/conditions detectable by abnormal urinalysis.

    • Diabetes Mellitus: Glucose and ketones.

    • Glomerulonephritis/Nephrotic Syndrome: Protein and blood.

    • Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Blood, leukocytes, bacteria.

    • Kidney Stones: Blood and crystals.

    • Liver Disease: Abnormal bilirubin/urobilinogen.