Renal Learning Objectives

BE‑274, Dr. C. S. Tritt

 

Renal Structure

 

Be able to name 4 major functions of the kidney.

 

Be able to list at least 3 important inorganic ions the concentrations of which the kidneys help regulate (this may not be stated explicitly in Saladin).

 

Be able to name at least 3 important organic wastes that are eliminated by the kidneys.

 

Be able to name at least 2 hormones normally produced by the kidney.

 

Be able to describe the basic structures of the kidney, name them and to describe their functions (see Figures 23.4 and 23.5).

 

Know the 3 (or four) general processes involved in the formation of the urine (see Figure 23.6).

 

Renal Function

 

Know what the filtration fraction is (this may not be in Saladin).

 

Be able to describe the phenomena of tubular transport maximum (T_m) and plasma (or renal) threshold.

Be able to describe Starling hypothesis (this term may not be used in your textbook but it relates to the equation GFR = K_f(P_BHP - Π_COP - P_CP) and is described in Figure 23.8).

 

Know the general relationships between arterial pressure and RBF and between arterial pressure and GFR (known as autoregulation).

 

Know how the afferent and efferent arterioles may work to control the GFR (See Figures 23.9 and 23.10 and the associated text).

 

Be able to explain how the kidneys use countercurrent exchange to produce urine with a higher osmolarity than the plasma.

 

Renal Calculations

 

Be able to calculate the filtered load (this may not be in Saladin).

 

Know the standard meanings of the abbreviations: P_x,U_x, V, C_x, GFR, RPF, RBF and Hct.

 

Be able to calculate the clearance of a specified substance (C_x) given its concentration in the plasma (P_x), concentration in the urine (U_x) and the urine production rate (V).

 

Be able to interpret clearance values of freely filtered substances with respect to transport mechanisms (this is not in Saladin).

 

Know how inulin can be used to measure GFR and be able to perform the calculations involved in this measurement.

 

Know how PAH can be used to measure RPF and be able to perform the calculations involved in this measurement (this is not in Saladin).

 

Be able to calculate the RBF from given values of RPF and Hct (this is not in Saladin).

 

Know the definitions and significance of osmolar and free water clearance (C_osm and C_H2O, this may not be in your book).

 

Be able to calculate the osmolar and free water clearance (C_osm and C_H2O).

 

Regulation of Renal Function

 

Be able to describe the causes of ADH, aldosterone, renin‑angiotensin and atrial natriuretic hormone release.

 

Be able to describe the systemic effects of ADH, aldosterone, renin‑angiotensin and atrial natriuretic hormone release.

 

Be able to describe the specific sites of ADH, aldosterone, renin‑angiotensin and atrial natriuretic hormone release and action.

 

Be able to describe the effects of sympathetic activity on renal function.