Chapter 19, Problem 1RQ

List and explain the significance of the five characteristics of urine that can be found by physical examination.

Summary Introduction

To determine: The five characteristics of urine and their features that can be found by medical examination.

Introduction: The wastes produced during metabolic processes are removed from the body by the excretory system. The fluid water produced by the body is called urine. The doctors detect the normal functioning of body systems by analyzing the urine.

Explanation of Solution

The five characteristics of urine that can be found by medical examination are as follows:

• Color:

  The color of urine is used to detect the concentration of different ions and solutes present in the body. The yellow colored urine indicates a higher concentration of solutes, while pale-colored urine represents diluted solutes.

• Odor

  The odor of the urine indicates the presence of infections in the urine. The microbes infecting the humans excrete, and their excreted substances are reflected in the urine.

• Clarity

  The urine with less clarity indicates that it contains a high amount of cells. The cells give a hazy appearance to the urine.

• Taste

  The taste of the urine is an indication of the amount of glucose present in the body. The secretion of the high amount of glucose is harmful to the body.

• Froth

  The abnormal proteins present inside the body can be detected by the froth produced by the urine. These types of proteins are harmful to the body.

Conclusion

Color, odor, clarity, taste, and froth are the five characteristics of urine that can be detected by the medical examination.