Learning Objectives - Renal Physiology

BI-374, Spring '06, Dr. C. S. Tritt

Compartment Volume Calculations

Be able to name and describe the two major compartments commonly used in compartmental analysis of physiological fluid volumes.

Be able to calculate "final" compartment volumes and concentrations resulting from the addition of fluids and/or electrolytes to the body.

Renal Structure and Basic Function

Be able to name three major functions of the kidney.

Be able to list at least 4 important inorganic ions the concentrations of which the kidneys help regulate.

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.

Added 5/14/06 - Be able to make a labeled sketch showing the major structures in the kidney.

Added 5/14/06 - Be able to make a labeled sketch showing the major structures of the nephron.

Modified 5/14/06 - Know the 3 general processes involved in the formation of the urine and where they occur.

Understand the concept of renal clearance and be able to perform clearance calculations and to interpret the results.

Know the standard meanings of: Px,Ux, Vdot, Cx, GFR, RPF, RBF and HCT.

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

Be able to list at least 3 of the 4 criteria that must be met by a material to be used as a marker for GFR measurements.

Know what the filtration fraction is and its typical range of values.

Be able to calculate the filtered load.

Know what is meant by the terms: tubular transport maximum (Tm), plasma threshold and splay.

Intermediate Renal Function

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

Be able to determine the RBF from given values of RPF and HCT.

Be able to interpret clearance values of freely filtered substances with respect to transport mechanisms.

Know what is meant by the term Starling hypothesis (this term may not be used in the your textbook but it relates to the Starling forces and the equation GFR = Kf[(PGC-PBS)-(PiGC-PiBS)]).

Know the relations between arterial pressure and RBF and between arterial pressure and GFR.

Be able to describe the two mechanisms responsible for autoregulation of RBF and GFR.

Know how the afferent and efferent arterioles work to control the GFR.

Regulation of Renal Function

Be able to explain the mechanisms by which the kidneys regulated the volume and composition of the extracellular fluid.

Be able to describe the causes of ADH (vasopressin), aldosterone, renin-angiotensin and atrial natriuretic hormone release.

Be able to describe the systemic effects of ADH (vasopressin), aldosterone, renin-angiotensin and atrial natriuretic hormone release.

Be able to describe the specific sites of ADH (vasopressin), aldosterone, renin-angiotensin and atrial natriuretic hormone release.

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

Know the definitions and significance of osmolar and free water clearance (Cosm and CH2O).

Be able to calculate the osmolar and free water clearance (Cosm and CH2O).

Renal Regulation of Electrolyte and Acid-Base Balance

Be able to explain the role of the kidneys in the regulation of plasma sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphate concentrations (note this objective may be deleted or expanded).

Know the mechanisms by which bicarbonate (HCO3-) is reabsorbed by the kidneys.

Understand how carbonate, phosphate and ammonia interact to aid in the excretion of metabolic acids.