Anatomy & Physiology — Renal, Fluids & Acid–Base flashcards
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Nephron anatomy, glomerular filtration and GFR control, reabsorption and secretion by segment, the countercurrent mechanism, ADH, aldosterone and ANP at the kidney, micturition, fluid compartments, tonicity, the major electrolytes, buffers, and respiratory versus metabolic acid–base disturbances.
Learn deck · part of Anatomy & Physiology I/II · written against: Standard two-semester A&P sequence; OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e, consulted as a reference; no text copied. Updated 2026-10-10.
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Trace the path of filtrate through a nephron from the glomerular capsule to the collecting duct.Glomerular (Bowman's) capsule → proximal convoluted tubule → nephron loop (descending limb, then ascending limb) → distal convoluted tubule → collecting duct. Each collecting duct receives filtrate from many nephrons and runs through a medullary pyramid to its papilla.Kidney and Nephron Anatomy
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Which vessel drains the glomerulus, and what is unusual about it?An efferent arteriole — not a venule. It then breaks up into a second capillary bed, the peritubular capillaries (or the vasa recta of juxtamedullary nephrons). Having an arteriole on each side lets the glomerulus run at unusually high pressure.Kidney and Nephron Anatomy
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What kind of process is glomerular filtration, and what determines what passes into the capsule?A passive, non-selective process driven by hydrostatic pressure. Water and solutes smaller than about 3 nm — ions, glucose, amino acids, urea and other wastes — pass freely, while blood cells and nearly all plasma proteins are held back, so the filtrate is essentially protein-free plasma.Glomerular Filtration
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Which nephron segment reabsorbs the most, and what does it reclaim?The proximal convoluted tubule — about 65% of filtered Na⁺ and water, essentially all of the glucose and amino acids (by secondary active transport coupled to Na⁺), and most of the bicarbonate. Its cells carry dense microvilli and many mitochondria for the job.Tubular Reabsorption and Secretion
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What is the countercurrent multiplier, and what does it produce?The nephron loop of juxtamedullary nephrons, with fluid flowing in opposite directions in its two limbs: NaCl pumped out of the ascending limb draws water out of the descending limb, concentrating the filtrate that then feeds more NaCl to the pump. It builds the medullary osmotic gradient, from about 300 mOsm at the cortex to about 1,200 mOsm deep in the medulla (typical).Urine Concentration
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How does aldosterone act on kidney cells, and what are its net effects on sodium, potassium and blood volume?In the principal cells of the late distal tubule and collecting duct it induces synthesis of Na⁺ channels and Na⁺/K⁺ pumps, increasing Na⁺ reabsorption (water follows when ADH is present) and K⁺ secretion. Net result: blood volume and pressure rise and plasma K⁺ falls.Hormonal Control
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Describe the micturition reflex, and explain what gives adults voluntary control over voiding.Stretch receptors in the filling bladder (from roughly 200 mL) signal the sacral spinal cord; parasympathetic fibers contract the detrusor muscle and the internal urethral sphincter (smooth muscle) relaxes. The external urethral sphincter is skeletal muscle under voluntary control, so adults can postpone voiding.Micturition
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What fraction of body weight is water in a typical young adult, and how is it divided between the intracellular and extracellular compartments?About 60% in a young adult male (less in women and in the elderly, because fat holds little water). Roughly two-thirds is intracellular fluid; the remaining third is extracellular — about 80% interstitial fluid and 20% plasma.Body Fluids
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Why is sodium the electrolyte that sets extracellular fluid volume?Na⁺ salts make up more than 90% of the ECF's solutes, and water follows sodium by osmosis. Total body Na⁺ therefore determines ECF (and plasma) volume and blood pressure — which is why aldosterone regulates volume by regulating Na⁺.Electrolytes
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What is the normal pH range of arterial blood, and what do acidosis and alkalosis mean?7.35–7.45. A blood pH below 7.35 is acidosis and above 7.45 is alkalosis. Values much beyond about 6.8 or 8.0 are incompatible with life because enzymes and membrane proteins stop working.Acid–Base Balance
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About these cards
Review status: Second-reader reviewed, with corrections applied.
Checked against:
- OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e, chapters on the urinary system and on fluid, electrolyte and acid–base balance, consulted as a reference; no text copied.
- Typical pressures, volumes and reference ranges follow standard introductory A&P textbooks; all wording is original.
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