Renal Physiology Study Guide

  1. List the major functions of the kidneys

  2. Describe the basic anatomical features of the kidney, especially the nephron

  3. Describe the vascular supply to the kidney

  4. Discuss the structural adaptations of the renal corpuscle that influence glomerular filtration

  5. Know the forces that determine rate of glomerular filtration

  6. Be able to calculate net filtration pressure

  7. Describe the 2 processes which may produce autoregulation of kidney blood flow

  8. Discuss how constriction of the afferent or efferent arteriole will affect glomerular filtration rate and blood flow

  9. List examples of vasoconstrictors and a vasodilator in the kidney circulation

  10. Define the terms reabsorption and secretion as they apply to the nephron

  11. Know the basic mechanisms of reabsorption of Na+, K+, glucose, and water in the proximal tubule

  12. Describe how organic acids and bases are secreted in the proximal tubule

  13. Discuss why glucose may appear in the urine

  14. Contrast the behavior of substances filtered, reabsorbed, and secreted in terms of their concentrations at the end of the proximal tubule

  15. Describe permeability characteristics and mechanisms of reabsorption for epithelial cells in the loop of Henle

  16. Describe mechanisms of Na+ reabsorption and K+ secretion or reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct

  17. List and discuss the mechanisms of action of diuretics working in the loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, and collecting duct

  18. Discuss the mechanism of action of aldosterone on tubular epithelial cells

  19. Quantitate percentage of Na+, K+, and H2O reabsorbed by the end of the proximal tubule and at the end of the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle

  20. Know typical percentages of filtered Na+ and H2O excreted as urine

  21. Decribe the characteristics of the loop of Henle that cause high NaCl concentration in interstitial fluid of the inner medulla

  22. Discuss the role of ADH in production of urine with high versus low solute concentration

  23. Discuss the role of ADH in excretion of high versus low urine volume

  24. Discuss the mechanisms of ADH action

  25. Know how concentrated or diluted (in mOsm) urine can become

  26. What is diabetes insipidus

  27. Undestand the concept of clearance and be able to calculate GFR and renal plasma flow based on clearance of particular solutes

  28. Explain how plasma creatinine levels can be used to see if GFR is normal, and be able to make such a calculation

  29. Locate osmoreceptors in the brain and describe the circumstances of their activation

  30. Know how stimulation or suppression of osmoreceptors results in increased or decreased urine flow and increased or decreased urine osmolarity

  31. Desribe receptors relevant to the sensation of thirst and desribe how this can influence plamsa osmolarity

  32. Describe how regulation of the amount of Na+ in ECF affects interstitial fluid and vascular volume

  33. List and describe sensory signals to the kidney which help regulate vascular volume

  34. Describe the pathways by which kidney readjusts ECF volume by changing GFR

  35. Describe the renin-angiotensin system

  36. Describe the pathways by which aldosterone release is regulated to adjust Na+ reabsorption

  37. Explain the role of ADH in regulating extracellular volume

  38. Describe when and by what pathway atrial natriuritic factor (ANF) regulates Na+ reabsorption

  39. Be able describe the relevant pathways that compensate for increases or decreases in plasma volume

  40. Describe the general distribution of Ca++ in the body

  41. Explain the circumstances of parathyroid hormone release and the systems affected to influence plasma levels of Ca++ and phosphate

  42. Know the cells responsible for mineralization and reabsorption of bone

  43. Know the basic pathway necessary to produce active vitamin D (1,25[OH}2D3)

  44. Describe how Ca++ is reabsorbed in the nephron and list percentages reabsorbed

  45. Describe the effects of increasing or decreasing plasma HCO3- on plasma H+ ion concentrations

  46. Discuss 3 pathways for reabsorption of HCO3- in the nephron: which of these pathways produce new HCO3- for the plasma? Which of these pathways will result in excretion of H+ ion.

  47. Based on the TBL, discuss respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis and renal compensation for respiratory acidosis.
<< Back