Glomerular Filtration
Activity 1: Effect of Arteriole Diameter on Glomerular Filtration
1. Compare this data with your baseline data. How did increasing the afferent arteriole radius affect glomerular filtration rate?
>>Increasing the afferent arteriole radius pushed the glomerular pressure, the glomerular filtration rate, and the volume of urine to be higher than the baseline data. Increasing the afferent arteriole radius increased the glomerular filtration rate. 2. Under these conditions, does the fluid flow through the nephron?
>>No! No urine was collected which indicates no fluid flows through the nephron.
3. What is the glomerular filtration rate?
>>The glomerular filtration rate is 0 which…show more content… >>Both decreased.
2. How could you adjust the afferent or efferent radius to compensate for the effect of the reduced pressure on glomerular filtration rate and urine volume? Use the simulation to determine your answer.
>>Increase the afferent radius or decrease the efferent radius.
3. What changes are seen in nephron function when the valve is closed?
>> There was no glomerular filtration rate and no urine production.
4. Why were these changes seen?>> When the valves are closed simulating blocked collecting ducts, the built up pressure caused by the increased solute volume opposes the forces driving up the filtration tasks of the kidney. The nephrons could burst if the filtering task is continued so the kidney is just trying to save ‘itself.
5. Is the kidney functional when the glomerular filtration rate is zero? Explain your answer.
>>No. When glomerular filtration rate is zero, it means nothing is filtered. The kidney is dormant and not carrying out any upfront task to stay functional.
6. What is the major “ingredient” that needs to be removed from the blood?
>>Urea along with different metabolic salts.
7. Studies on aging have demonstrated that some nephrons may fail as we get older. Will this be a problem regarding urine formation?
>>Aging causes inevitable physical and physiological degenerations and the