Title: Urine Analysis

Aim: To analyze three urine samples via visual examination.

Introduction:

Excreting urine is one of the body’s way of getting rid of certain toxic materials. Almost 80% of

nitrogen is the urine for mammals. This is produced via a series of reactions through a process

known as the krebs cycle or the urea cycle. When nitrogen is metabolized, ammonia is produced

which is toxic to the body. The urea cycle is able to convert excess ammonia to urea in four basic

steps, this occurs in the mitochondria of the cells in the liver. The urea formed from this cycle

enters the blood vessels, then the kidney, becomes part of the urine then it is passed out via the

bladder (Cheriyedath, 2016).

Urea is formed through in the following way (a concise representation of the cycle): 2 Ammonia

+ CO2 + 3ATP ---> urea + water + 3 ADP (Cheriyedath, 2016). This cycle expels ammonia from

the body. It is achieved since approximately 10 to 20g of ammonia is excreted from a healthy

adult daily. Like other reactions occurring in the body, the urea cycle is controlled by a series of

enzymes. Any malfunction in these enzymes can result in a malfunction in the urea cycle.

Defects in this way can cause convulsions, or coma in newborn babies.

To test the contents of the urine, a urinalysis is done. With this test, information regarding

disorders, urinary tract infections kidney diseases and even diabetes can be discovered. The urine

analysis involves viewing the appearance, content and concentration of the urine. This type of

analysis can be used to check one’s overall health, to diagnose or monitor a particular condition

(Mayo Clinic, n.d.).

Method:

1. A clean container was obtained used to collect a sample of urine. The hands were

thoroughly washed using soap and water after the sample was collected.

2. The colour of the urine was observed and recorded in a suitable table.

3. The sample was shaken then observations were made about the level/degree of

cloudiness. This was done to test the transparency. The observations were recorded using

the terms; clear, mildly cloudy, average cloudiness and very cloudy. Observations were

made, and results recorded.

4. The samples were appropriately discarded then the hands were washed thoroughly with

soap and water.

5. Steps 1-4 were repeated for three days.

The results of two persons in the class were collected

Results:

Table 1: Showing the results for the colour of urine taken by three individuals.

Colour of Urine
Participants
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
Sample 1 Dark yellow Pale Yellow Pale Yellow
Sample 2 Pale Yellow Pale Yellow Pale Yellow
Sample 3 Pale Yellow Pale Yellow Very pale yellow

Table 2: Showing the results for the transparency of urine taken by three individuals.

Transparency of Urine
Participants
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
Sample 1 Mildly cloudy Clear Clear
Sample 2 Clear Clear Clear
Sample 3 Clear Clear Mildly cloudy
Discussion:

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

The pale yellow colour seen in the urine sample indicates that the individual is fully hydrated and

has consumed enough water. On the other hand, diabetes insipidus is a condition that can also

cause a person to produce light-coloured urine. Such a person, however, will urine frequently

(Sissons, 2022). The yellowish colour is caused by the urochrome pigment which is produced by

the body (Cleveland Clinic, 2021).

The dark yellow colour which resembles amber is an indication that the body is lacking water.

This colour indicates mild dehydration.

The pale yellow colour could be an indicator of too much water being consumed. If, however,

the individual has not been consuming a lot of water during the day then this could be an

indicator of a faulty kidney or the onset of diabetes (Cleveland Clinic, 2021).

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

The transparency of the urine is an indication of suspended particles in it. The mildly cloudy

urine indicates some amount of suspended particles. The presence of alkaline in urine is most

associated with cloudy urine. The water, salts and wastes from the kidney could affect the

balance of the pH in urine. High alkaline can cause the urine to be cloudy.

Sample 1; on day one indicates that the person did not consume enough water and there is some

number of suspended particles present in the urine which is giving it a slight cloudy appearance,
or the alkaline level is high. However, during day 2 and 3 the individual was drinking enough

water and there were no excessive suspended particles in the urine. The urine was normal.

Sample 2; for the three days, this individual had a normal colour and transparency. The person

had consumed enough water and there was some amount of suspended particles in it or the pH

was high.

Sample 3: for the first 2 days this individual had a normal discharge of urine but on the third day

the colour indicates that the person drank too much water, and the cloudy appearance shows that

there are some suspended particles in it or the pH was high (LibreTexts Medicine, 2018).

3. When do doctors recommend a urine analysis?

A doctor might order or recommend a urine analysis if the individual has blood in the urine, is

pregnant, about to do a surgery, experiencing abdominal or back pains or to diagnose any

condition that he/she might suspect the persons of having. If the person has been using drugs, or

be suspected of having a urinary tract infection, might also be a reason for the doctor to

recommend a urine analysis (Mayo Clinic, n.d.).

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

do we do these examinations?

Besides visual examinations, chemical (dipstick test) and microscopic tests can also be done

when conducting a urine analysis.

The dipstick test is used to test for specific substances in the urine. Protein, pH, ketones, glucose,

and even bilirubin level can be tested in this way.

The microscope can also be used to see various components of the urine such as cells, cell

fragments, mucus, urinary casts bacteria and crystals. The microscopic tests also provide

information about the red blood cell count and white blood cell count.

Conclusion:

Urine samples of three individuals were analyzed using visual examination. The colour and

transparency of the urine samples were noted. Based on the data collected, most of the

participants had normal appearances of urine and were consuming an adequate amount of water

except for the first day for the first individual. Generally, all the individuals are within the

healthy range based on the visual urine analysis done.

Reference

Sissons, B. (2022, November 2). Urine color chart: Healthy colors and when to seek help.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/urine-color-chart

Cheriyedath, S. (2016, July 19). What is the Urea Cycle? News-Medical. https://www.news-

medical.net/health/What-is-the-Urea-Cycle.aspx

Cleveland Clinic. (2021, November 7). What The Color of Your Pee Says About You. Cleveland

Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-urine-color-means

LibreTexts Medicine. (2018, July 24). 24.4A: Physical Characteristics of Urine. Medicine

LibreTexts.

https://med.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Anatomy_and_Physiology/Anatomy_and_Physiol

ogy_(Boundless)/24%3A__Urinary_System/24.4%3A_Urine/24.4A

%3A_Physical_Characteristics_of_Urine

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Urinalysis—Mayo Clinic.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/urinalysis/about/pac-20384907

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Urinalysis—Mayo Clinic.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/urinalysis/about/pac-20384907