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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Excretory Physiology
Which of the following nephron sections is primarily associated with the absorption of sodium ions and the secretion of potassium ions?
Glomerulus
Proximal convoluted tubule
Loop of Henle
Distal convoluted tubule
Distal convoluted tubule
The distal convoluted tubule follows the loop of Henle in the nephron structure. In addition to lowering the filtrate concentration, it is also used to reabsorb sodium ions and secrete potassium ions. Aldosterone acts on the distal tubule and further stimulates these two actions.
Example Question #1 : Help With Nephron Physiology
Which section of the nephron does not result in a change in filtrate concentration?
Collecting duct
Distal convoluted tubule
Loop of Henle
Proximal convoluted tubule
Proximal convoluted tubule
The nephron is composed of multiple sections, which are used to alter the solute composition and concentration of the filtrate. The first section is the proximal convoluted tubule. While the solute composition of the filtrate will change due to reabsorption and secretion of specific solutes, the overall concentration does not change. In the proximal convoluted tubule, filtrate is kept isotonic with blood.
Example Question #1 : Help With Nephron Physiology
How does antidiuretic hormone (ADH) affect the nephron?
ADH makes the loop of Henle permeable to water, concentrating the urine
ADH makes the collecting duct permeable to water, diluting the urine
ADH makes the collecting duct permeable to water, concentrating the urine
ADH makes the collecting duct impermeable to water, concentrating the urine
ADH makes the loop of Henle impermeable to water, concentrating the urine
ADH makes the collecting duct permeable to water, concentrating the urine
The collecting duct of a nephron is normally impermeable to water. In the presence of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), aquaporin proteins are inserted, making the collecting duct permeable to water. Water then diffuses into the medulla due to the solute concentration of the surrounding tissues, generated from ion reabsorption in the loop of Henle. This loss of water from the urine makes it more concentrated.
Example Question #2 : Help With Nephron Physiology
The glomerulus is primarily associated with which function?
Protein reabsorption
Filtration
Active transport
Ion reabsorption
Secretion
Filtration
The glomerulus is a capillary structure associated with the first section of the nephron where blood enters the renal corpuscle. The glomerulus is responsible for filtering fluid, plasma, and dissolved particulates out of circulation and into Bowman's capsule, resulting in a primary filtrate that will go through the rest of the nephron.
Example Question #851 : Human Anatomy And Physiology
Which of the following is true regarding the nephron?
The macula densa cells are found within the lumen of the distal convoluted tubule
Water is reabsorbed in the distal convoluted tubule
All of these
Water is reabsorbed in the descending limb of the loop of Henle
All of these
All of the answer choices are true. The macula densa cells are sensitive to changes in concentration of sodium chloride. A decrease in concentration of is detected, which stimulates the macula densa cells to secrete paracrine factors that ultimately increase the pressure in the glomerulus, and thus the glomerular filtration rate, and stimulates the release of renin, which ultimately increases blood pressure, volume and cardiac output.
Example Question #3 : Help With Nephron Physiology
The major reabsorption of water, ions, and other important molecules such as glucose occurs in what part of the nephron?
Collecting duct
Distal convoluted tubule
Proximal convoluted tubule
Glomerulus
Vasa recta
Proximal convoluted tubule
After filtration of the blood through the glomerulus, approximately 70% of the water and salts is reabsorbed in the proximal convoluted tubule. Additionally, 100% of the glucose is reabsorbed here in a healthy, functioning nephron. The lumenal cells of the proximal convoluted tubule are lined with microvilli and are called brush border cells. Histology of the proximal convoluted tubule is indicative of these structures and the proximal convoluted tubule's lumen can be seen as "crowded" with epithelial surface area, which is distinct from the lumen of the distal convoluted tubule.
Example Question #4 : Help With Nephron Physiology
ADH (antidiuretic hormone, also known as vasopressin) has which of the following effects on nephron function?
Reabsorption of water decreases as a result of less aquaporins being placed in the proximal convoluted tubule
Reabsorption of water increases as a result of more ATP-dependent water pumps in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct
Reabsorption of water increases as a result of additional aquaporins being placed in the distal convoluted tubules and collecting duct
Reabsorption of water decreases as a result of additional aquaporins being placed in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct
Reabsorption of water increases as a result of additional aquaporins being placed in the proximal convoluted tubule
Reabsorption of water increases as a result of additional aquaporins being placed in the distal convoluted tubules and collecting duct
ADH acts upon the collecting ducts and distal convoluted tubules of nephrons to increase water reabsorption. It causes an increase in the number of aquaporins in order to allow for this.
Example Question #851 : Human Anatomy And Physiology
Concentration and dilution of urine is a major responsibility of what part of the nephron?
Proximal convoluted tubule
Glomerulus
Loop of Henle
Distal convoluted tubule
Collecting duct
Loop of Henle
As filtrate passes through the Loop of Henle, the level of concentration of the fluid that will become urine is determined by the length of the loop of Henle (how far into the medulla it dips) and, the osmolality of the medulla. Depending on the levels of circulating hormones, the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct could be the part of the nephron that determines the concentration of the urine, but to a lesser extent than the length of the loop of Henle.
Example Question #1 : Help With Nephron Physiology
The descending limb of the loop of Henle is __________.
solute permeable
solute impermeable
water permeable and solute impermeable
water permeable
water and solute impermeable
water permeable and solute impermeable
The descending limb of the loop of Henle is both water permeable and solute impermeable. These properties of the limb allow the filtrate moving through the nephron to become either concentrated or diluted depending on the circumstance.
Example Question #3 : Excretory Physiology
The vessels surrounding the Loop of Henle are called __________.
efferent arterioles
vasa recta
renal vein
peritubular capillaries
afferent arterioles
vasa recta
The afferent and efferent arterioles are located near the glomerulus and control the glomerular filtration rate by constriction and dilation. The peritubular capillaries wind around the proximal convoluted tubule and the distal convoluted tubule to allow for reabsorption and secretion there. The vasa recta on the other hand wind around the loop of Henle and maintain countercurrent multiplication.
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