Renal system

Learning objectives
To outline the renal system;
To describe the structure and function of
nephron,processes of urine formation;
To describe briefly the processes of urine
formation;
To describe the renin-angiotensin system;
To describe the regulationofpotassium,
calcium and pH.

RENAL SYSTEM
EXCRETION
~ removal of toxic waste
productions of
metabolism from the
body
WASTE
~ nitrogenous waste (urea
& ammonia), CO2, bile
pigment

RENAL SYSTEM
OSMOREGULATION
~ the process maintaining
constant osmotic
equilibrium between the
internal & external
environment of an
organism

Mammalian renal system I

KIDNEY
paired organs in abdominal cavity
held firmly by peritoneum
embedded in fat
solid, dark red & bean shape
below stomach
renal artery vs renal vein

Structure of kidney

Mammalian renal system II

URETERS
narrow tubes
passing urine from kidneys to bladder
valves prevent back flow of urine
stop bacteria from going into
kidney

Diaphragm
Kidney
Ureter
Bladder

Urethra

Mammalian renal system III

URINARY BLADDER
muscular bag
stores urine temporarily
300 cm3 of urine sensation of urination
contraction of bladder + relaxation of
sphincter muscle forces urine out

Ureter

Ureteral
opening

Urethra
Urethral
orifice

Mammalian renal system IV

URETHRA
muscular tube
carries ONLY URINE in female
carries URINE & SEMEN in male

A nephron unit

FLOW OF GLOMERULAR FILTRATE

Glomerulus

Bowmans space in Bowmans capsule

Descending limb of Henles loop

Ascending limb of Henles loop

Renal pelvis

Proximal convoluted tubule

Distal convoluted tubule

Collecting duct

NEPHRON
1,000,000 nephrons / kidney
structural & functional units
Cortical nephron
~ in cortex, short Loop of Henle, osmoregulation
under NORMAL condition
Juxtamedullary nephron
~ at junction of cortex & medulla, long Loop of
Henle, osmoregulation when SHORT OF WATER

Nephron
Renal corouscle
Glomerulus: knot of blood capillaries
Bowmans capsule
Proximal convoluted tubule
Descending limb of loop of Henle
Ascending limb of loop of Henle
Distal convoluted tubule
Collecting duct

Functions of kidney
Excretion
~ remove nitrogenous waste
i.e. urea, salts, water, heat,
toxic substance
Osmoregulation
~ controlling amount of
water in body
~ maintain osmotic potential

Urine Formation
Pressure filtration
(ultrafiltration)
Reabsorption
Tubular secretion

Ultrafiltration
Occur at Malpighian body
Glomerular filtrate: all substances in blood except
RBCs & plasma protein
Blood pressure:
pressure
Diameter of afferent arteriole > Diameter of efferent arteriole
Glomerular filtrate rate
180l/ day
Adaptation
large area, great pressure, thin ,membrane

Reabsorption
99% of the glomerular filtrate are reabsorbed
matter reabsorbed:
all glucose, amino acid
mineral salts
other useful substances
SELECTIVE REABSORPTION
Method of reabsorption
diffusion
active transport

Sites of reabsorption
Proximal convoluted tubule
~ major site of reabsorption (80%)
~ microvilli surface area
~ numerous mitochondria
~ surrounded by pertubular capillaries

Sites of reabsorption
Loop of Henle
~ conserve water in terrestrial mammal
~ creates & maintain an increasing osmotic
gradient in the medulla
~ Na+ in medulla vigorous osmotic
extraction of water from collecting ducts
hypertonic urine

Formation of hypertonic urine

Sites of reabsorption
Vasa recta
~ narrow capillaries situated close to loop of
Henle
~ freely permeable to ions, urea & water
~ Counter current exchanger system

Counter current exchange system

Sites of reabsorption
Distal convoluted tubule
~ fine control of salt, water & pH balance of the
blood
Collecting duct
~ water is extracted by osmosis conc.
hypertonic urine

Tubular secretion
Takes place in distal convoluted tubule
absorption of unnecessary: ammonia,
potassium & drug from capillary network &
secrete them into lumen of tubule

Regulation of urine composition

Anti-diuretic hormone(ADH)
Aldosterone
Renin-angiotensin system

ADH

ADH

ADH

Aldosterone

Renin angiotensin system

Potassium content
most abundant intracellular ion
reabsorbed by proximal convoluted tubule &
loop of Henle, secreted by collecting ducts
K secretion
aldosterone secretion of K

Calcium content
Ca excitability of nerve & muscle cell
membranes hypocalcemic tetany
Ca cardiac arrthythmias
most reabsorbed, no secretion

pH level
Metabolic reactions are highly sensitive to H +
Sources of H+ gain or loss
Gain ~ from CO2, metabolism of protein etc,
loss of CO3 2- in diarrhea & urine
Loss ~ in vomitus & urine