Question

1) A urinalysis reveals that the patient's urine contains glucose, hemoglobin, and white blood cells (pus). Are any of these substances abnormal in urine? Explain

2)As a person ages, nephron tubules lose some of their ability to concentrate urine. What is the effect of this change?

3) Fatty tissue holds the kidneys in place. Extremely rapid weight loss may cause this tissue to shrink so that the kidneys slip from their normal position. On rare occasions, the slippage can put a kink in one or both ureters and block urine flow. Suggest what might then happen tot he kidneys.

4) Licorice is used as a remedy in Chinese traditional medicine and also is a flavoring for candy. When licorice is eaten, one of its components triggers the form action of a compound that mimics aldosterone and binds to receptors for it. Based on the information, explain why people who have high blood pressure are advised to avoid eating much licorice

5) Drinking too much water can be a bad thing. If someone sweats heavily and drinks lot of water, their sodium level drop. the resulting "water intoxication" can be fatal. Why is the sodium balance so important?

6) Two-thirds of the water and solutes that the body reclaims by reabsorption in nephrons occurs in the proximal tubule. Proximal tubule cells have large numbers of mitochondria and demand a great deal of oxygen. Explain why.

Answer 1

1)

• Kidneys remove nitrogenous waste products (ammonia, urea, uric acid creatinine), formed during metabolism (especially protein metabolism).
• They also remove excess water, maintaining fluid balance of body.
• Due to certain abnomalities, the usual composition of urine may vary.
• Urinalysis is test of urine used for detection of infection, malfunctioning of kidneys or urinary system defects, presence of abnormal particles in higher amount, like stones, microbes, proteins (albumin), RBC, hemoglobin, WBC (pus), other ions and molecules.
• Presence of glucose indicates Diabetes Mellitus.
• WBS or pus may result from infection, like bacteria causing cystitis.
• Hemoglobin in urine results in dark coloration and the condition is called hemoglobinuria. May indicate different factors like nephritis, injury, cancer, stones.

2.

• Fluids from the glomerulus collects in the glomerular capsule, processed along nephron to form urine.
• With age there is decrease in glomerular filtration and nephron functioning.
• There is also decrease in nepron of about 10 % starting after age of 40.
• Thus, there is more dilute urine formed and urination becomes frequent with age.

3.

• Due to the loss of support mainly due to damage of parental faciae, a condition arises called the nephrotosis.
• Nephrotosis is also called floating kidney condition or kidney ptosis.
• The kidneys descend down towards pelvis on standing.
• It is more prevelant in women than men and may occur due to sudden and excessive weight loss, pregnancy, or accident.
• It may be asymptomatic at times, but usually results in acute pain in lower abdomen, stop of urine flow, blood in urine, etc.

4.

• Licorice is usually used as a flavoring agent in candy, obtained from a plant Glycyrrhiza glabra.
• If there is excess consumption Licorice, it acts similar to Aldosterone or as pseudoaldosterone.
• Licorice may bind to aldosterone receptors resulting constriction of blood vessels and salt retention, which causes rise in blood pressure.