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2.4
Osmoregulation
Regulating the water concentration of the nephric filtrate, urine and bloodstream
Bowmans capsule
1 ultrafiltration
molecules less than
69,000 RMM enter
glomerular filtrate
4 regulation of ions
ionic and water content
fine-tuned in the distal
convoluted tubule
H2O
ions
glucose
amino
acids
Na with glucose/
amino acids
H2O
distal
convoluted
tubule
5 urine concentration
more water reabsorbed
by osmosis and
hormonal signals alter
water content of final
urine formed
collecting
duct
proximal
convoluted
tubule
2 selective reabsorption
sodium is reabsorbed back
into the blood, coupled
with glucose and amino
acids, and some water by
osmosis
loop of Henle
3 ionic concentration
a water potential gradient is
established in the loop, and
the concentration of salts
increases towards the medulla
H2O
H2O NaCl
NaCl
NaCl
NaCl
H2O
H2O
H2O
NaCl
H2O
H2O
NaCl
ADH
H2O
NaCl
NaCl
blood vessel
aquaporin
ADH
vesicle
exocytosis
H2O
When there is more ADH in the blood, more ADH will bind to receptors (forming enzyme-substrate complexes) which will
make the walls of the collecting duct even more permeable to water, and so more will be reabsorbed. Therefore, urine is
of a lower water potential and less of it passes out of the body.
However, when there is less ADH in the blood, the cells stop placing aquaporins in the plasma membrane. In fact, the cell
actually folds inwards to produce extra vesicles which remove aquaporins from the membrane, so that even less water is
reabsorbed. This in turn, makes the urine less concentrated and has a higher water potential, and more will be produced.
Renal capsule
(glomerular
filtrate)
Proximal
convoluted
tubule
Loop of Henle
Distal
convoluted
tubule
Collecting duct
Urine
amino acids
proteins
(only small
water
60%
reabsorbed
much
reabsorption
more
reabsorbed
possible further
reabsorption
(small
amounts)
urea
ions
partially
reabsorbed
mostly
reabsorbed
final
reabsorption
glucose
reabsorbed
reabsorbed
proteins)
But how does the concentration of each substance differ at each component of the nephron? The graph below outlines
the changing concentrations of water, urea, glucose and ions at each part of the nephron.
small amount of
reduction as some may
be reabsorbed
urea
water
ionic exchange at
the loop of Henle
depends upon bodys
requirement for water,
varied by permeability of
the walls of the collecting
duct to water
ions
glucose
proximal convoluted
tubule
loop of Henle
distal convoluted
tubule
distance
along
nephron
collecting duct