Name: LOZANO-PX-E9-ACT1

Exercise 9: Renal System Physiology: Activity 1: The Effect of Arteriole Radius on Glomerular Filtration Lab Report

Pre-lab Quiz Results

You scored 100% by answering 5 out of 5 questions correctly.

1. There are approximately __________ nephrons in a healthy human kidney.

You correctly answered: c. 1 × 106

2. Which of the following lists the anatomical structures in the correct order as they are encountered by the blood and
filtered fluid during the process of filtration?
You correctly answered: d. afferent arteriole, glomerular capillary, Bowman's capsule

3. Bowman's capsule is connected to the beginning of the

You correctly answered: b. proximal convoluted tubule.

4. The functional unit of the kidney is the

You correctly answered: c. nephron.

5. During the process of renal reabsorption, fluid and solutes move from the
You correctly answered: b. renal tubule into the peritubular capillaries.

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Experiment Results
Predict Question:
Predict Question 1: What will happen to the glomerular capillary pressure and filtration rate if you decrease the radius of the
afferent arteriole?
Your answer : a. Both pressure and filtration rate will increase.

Predict Question 2: What will happen to the glomerular capillary pressure and filtration rate if you increase the radius of the
afferent arteriole?
Your answer : a. Both pressure and filtration rate will increase.

Predict Question 3: What will happen to the glomerular capillary pressure and filtration rate if you decrease the radius of the
efferent arteriole?
Your answer : a. Both pressure and filtration rate will increase.

Stop & Think Questions:

Caffeine consumption leads to increased urine formation. From the results in this experiment thus far, you might propose
that
You correctly answered: d. caffeine dilates the afferent arteriole.

When you are in the desert and dehydrating, which of the following arteriole combinations would benefit you the most?
You correctly answered: c. afferent constriction and efferent dilation

Experiment Data:

Afferent Radius Efferent Radius Beaker Press. Glomerular Press. Glom. Filt. Rate Urine Volume
(mm) (mm) (mm Hg) (mm Hg) (ml/min) (ml)
0.50 0.45 90 55.08 124.99 200.44
0.45 0.45 90 51.54 81.06 179.88
0.40 0.45 90 48.52 43.66 143.91
0.35 0.45 90 46.16 14.35 76.33
0.55 0.45 90 58.94 172.86 212.87
0.60 0.45 90 62.88 221.69 220.74
0.50 0.45 90 55.08 124.99 200.44
0.50 0.40 90 56.10 137.69 227.49
0.50 0.35 90 56.84 146.82 247.96
0.50 0.30 90 57.34 152.96 262.23

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Post-lab Quiz Results
You scored 100% by answering 4 out of 4 questions correctly.

1. If you increase the afferent arteriole radius and keep all other variables constant, the glomerular filtration rate would
You correctly answered: a. increase.

2. If you decrease the efferent arteriole radius and keep all other variables constant, the volume of urine flowing into the
urinary bladder would
You correctly answered: a. increase.

3. If you increase the efferent arteriole radius and keep all other variables constant, the glomerular filtration rate would
You correctly answered: b. decrease.

4. If you decrease the afferent arteriole radius and keep all other variables constant, the volume of urine flowing into the
urinary bladder would __________.
You correctly answered: b. decrease.

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Review Sheet Results
1. What are two primary functions of the kidney?
Your answer:
The two primary functions of the kidney are to rid the body of waste materials that are either ingested or produced by
metabolism and to control the volume and electrolyte composition of body fluids.

2. What are the components of the renal corpuscle?

Your answer:
The renal corpuscle (site of formation of the glomerular filtrate) comprises a glomerulus, Bowman's space and Bowman's
capsule.

3. Starting with the renal corpuscle, list the components of the renal tubule as they are encountered by filtrate.
Your answer:
a. Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT)
b. Loop of Henle?
c. Distal Convoluted Tubule?

4. Describe the effect of decreasing the afferent arteriole radius on glomerular capillary pressure and filtration rate. How
well did the results compare with your prediction?
Your answer:
When the radius of the afferent arteriole was decreased, the pressure and filtration rate both decreased. The prediction did
not match the results of the experiment.

5. Describe the effect of increasing the afferent arteriole radius on glomerular capillary pressure and filtration rate. How
well did the results compare with your prediction?
Your answer:
When the radius of the afferent arteriole was increased, the pressure and filtration rate both increased as predicted.

6. Describe the effect of decreasing the efferent arteriole radius on glomerular capillary pressure and filtration rate. How
well did the results compare with your prediction?
Your answer:
When the radius of the efferent arteriole was decreased, the pressure and filtration rate both increased as predicted.

7. Describe the effect of increasing the efferent radius on glomerular capillary pressure and filtration rate.
Your answer:
When the radius of the efferent arteriole was increased, the pressure and filtration rate both decreased.

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