Learner Resource 3 – Analysing Urine
Urine analysis can be used to help to diagnose certain disorders in humans. You will carry out tests
on samples of mock urine to analyse whether they contain glucose and protein.
What substances are contained within urine?
Complete the following table:Body Fluid
Glucose
Protein
Plasma – renal artery
Plasma – renal vein
Renal filtrate
Urine
Would you expect to see a difference in the concentration of glucose in the renal artery and vein?
Explain your answer.
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Why does renal filtrate contain glucose but not protein?
Why do you not expect urine to test positive for the presence of glucose?
The presence or absence of certain substances in urine can indicate whether a patient’s kidneys are
functioning normally or if they are suffering from disorders such as diabetes.
How would you test urine for:Glucose
Protein
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You can also test urine for the presence of glucose and protein using test strips – Clinistix for
glucose and Albustix for protein.
You are given 3 samples of mock urine. They are from the following individuals:
a patient who is being tested for diabetes

a patient with abnormally high blood pressure

a healthy individual
Test each sample of urine for the presence of glucose and protein using the 2 methods described
above. Then complete the following:
Produce a table to show your results.

Decide which urine sample is from which patient.
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
Fully explain your findings, giving reasons for the presence or absence of glucose or
protein in the urine of each of the patients.

The patient suffering from diabetes produces very large quantities of urine and complains of
being thirsty. Suggest a reason for this.

Could the tests you have described be used to compare the concentration of glucose in
different samples of urine?
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Stretch and challenge:
Describe how you could use a colorimeter to give a more accurate measurement of the glucose
concentration in samples of urine.
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