University of Guyana

Faculty of Natural Sciences

Department of Biology

BIO3220: Animal Physiology

Lecturers:

Lab Instructor:

Laboratory Exercise #
[Urine analysis]
Title: Urine analysis

Aim: To analyze urine samples via visual examination.

Introduction:

The body utilizes the urea cycle to transform harmful ammonia into urea. Whether it occurs as a

result of a high-protein diet, deamination, or a lengthy period of hunger, ammonia is a byproduct

of protein catabolism. Moreover, the intestinal flora naturally produces ammonia. The amino

acid that takes free ammonia to produce glutamine in muscle and auxiliary tissues is glutamate.

After export from muscle and ancillary tissues, glutamine is used by the liver. The enzyme

glutaminase converts glutamine to glutamate and ammonia. Via the action of the enzyme

glutamate dehydrogenase, glutamate also produces more urea. The synthesis of urea follows the

initial incorporation of ammonia into hepatocyte mitochondria from this point. After leaving the

hepatocyte cytoplasm, urea is eventually expelled in the urine (Barmore. et al., 2022).

A urine test is known as a urinalysis. It is used to identify and treat a variety of illnesses,

including diabetes, renal disease, and urogenital infections. A urinalysis involves examining the

color, consistency, and composition of urine. For instance, an infection of the urinary tract might

cause urine to appear hazy rather than clear. Urinary protein levels that are higher than normal

may indicate renal disease (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, n.d.).

Method:
 1. A clean container was used to collect a sample of urine from the experimenter. The

experimenter washed his hands thoroughly with soap and water after collecting the

sample.

2. The color of the urine was examined and the observation was recorded in table one

below.

3. The urine sample was then shaken and the degree of cloudiness was observed. This was

to test the transparency. The observations were recorded as clear, mildly cloudy, average

cloudiness, and very cloudy. The observations were recorded in table two below.

4. The sample was discarded appropriately and hands was washed thoroughly with soap and

water.

5. Step 1 – 4 was repeated for three days. The results of two persons in the class was

collected and recorded in the appropriate table.

Results

Table 1 shows the color of each sample

Participants Color of Urine

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3

Sample 1 Yellowish to amber Yellowish to amber Clear

Sample 2 Yellowish to amber Yellowish to amber Yellowish to amber

Sample 3 Yellowish to amber Clear Yellowish to amber

Table 2 shows the transparency of each sample

Participants Transparency of Urine

 Day 1 Day 2 Day 3

Sample 1 Mildly Cloudy Average Cloudy Mildly Cloudy

Sample 2 Average Cloudy Mildly Cloudy Mildly Cloudy

Sample 3 Average Cloudy Average Cloud Average Cloudy

Discussion:

1. What does the color of the urine samples collected tell us of the health of the individuals?

The urine sample that was taken (sample 1) indicated that the person had healthy urine because

on two of the three days, it had a yellowish to amber tint. Together with the person for sample 3

who likewise has healthy urine, this person also has healthy urine in sample 2. So, this suggests

that everyone taking part is properly hydrated (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and

Research, n.d.).

2. What does the transparency of urine tell us? Explain using the data in table two.

When the urine from sample 1 was examined for transparency, the urine was only mildly cloudy

on the first and third days, and averagely cloudy on the second. For sample 2, however, the urine

was generally hazy on the first day but only slightly so on the second and third days. The urine of

sample 3 was also on average hazy over the course of the three days. Overall, this suggests that

each participant's urine is in good health, but for those who had urine that was average cloudy, it

could be a sign of dehydration or the symptoms of a urinary tract infection (Mayo Foundation for

Medical Education and Research, n.d.).

3. When do doctors recommend a urine analysis?

Here are three reasons doctors may recommend a urine analysis:

 To determine the general health of an individual. A typical medical examination,

pregnancy checkup, or pre-surgery preparation may include a urinalysis. When someone

is admitted to a hospital, it may also be used to screen for a number of diseases, including

diabetes, renal disease, and liver illness.

 To determine a disease's cause. If someone experience back discomfort, frequent or

painful urination, blood in their urine, or other urinary issues, a urinalysis may be

required. A urinalysis can assist in determining the origin of these symptoms and signs.

 To keep an eye on a health situation. An individual’s doctor might advise routine urine

tests if someone has been diagnosed with a medical condition that needs to be monitored,

such as kidney disease or a urinary tract infection.

(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, n.d.).

4. Other than visual examination, what sort of analysis can be done on urine samples? Why

do we do these examinations?

Examining the visual system is possible, as mentioned. A lab technician uses this to assess the

urine's appearance. Normally, urine is transparent. An issue, such as an infection, can be

indicated by cloudiness or an odd odor. Urine containing protein may seem frothy. Urine that

contains blood may appear red or brown. What you just ate or certain medications you're taking

can have an impact on the color of your urine (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and

Research, n.d.). In contrast, a dipstick test can be performed. The urine is put onto a thin plastic

stick that has chemical strips on it. When specific compounds are present or when their quantities

are higher than usual, the chemical strips change color. A dipstick test checks for the following
things: Blood, Concentration, Protein, Sugar, Ketones, Bilirubin, Acidity (pH), Protein, Sugar,

and Ketones. A microscopic examination might be performed last. This test includes looking at

drops of concentrated urine that have been spun in a machine under a microscope. It is

occasionally done as part of a urinalysis. if any of the aforementioned readings are higher than

usual (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, n.d.).

Conclusion:

According to the lab assessment, visual examination of a urine sample is quicker and simpler

than other procedures. Yet, it is still necessary for people to have their urine analyzed

occasionally because it can help to assess their level of health.

References

Barmore., W., Azad, F., & Stone, W. L. (2022, May 15). Physiology, urea cycle - StatPearls -

NCBI bookshelf. National Center for Biotechnology

Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513323/

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (n.d.). Urinalysis.

mayoclinic.org. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/urinalysis/about/pac-

20384907#:~:text=It's%20used%20to%20detect%20and,look%20cloudy%20instead

%20of%20clear