Guided Lecture Notes, Chapter 24, Structure and Function of the Kidney
Learning Objective 1. Describe the anatomy and physiology of the structures of the
renal system.

Identify the functions of the kidney, including elimination of water, waste, excess
electrolytes, and drugs/toxins. (Refer to PowerPoint slide 2.)

Describe the location and gross structure of the kidney and its blood supply.
(Refer to Figures 24-1 and 24-2.)

Trace the path of blood flow to and from the kidneys. (Refer to Figure 24-3.)

Explain how renal blood flow is redistributed during SNS stimulation.

Describe the anatomy and physiology of the nephron and identify the two
capillary beds with which it is associated. (Refer to Figure 24-4.)

Describe the anatomy and physiology of the renal corpuscle. (Refer to
PowerPoint slides 3 and 4 and Figure 24-5.)

Identify the tubular components of the kidney—the proximal and distal tubules,
loop of Henle, and collecting tubule—and explain the function of each.
Learning Objective 2. Compare and contrast filtration, reabsorption, and secretion.
(Refer to PowerPoint slide 5.)

Describe filtration, glomerular filtration rate, and how control mecahnisms affect
GFR. (Refer to PowerPoint slides 6 to 8.)

Differentiate tubular reabsorption and secretion. (Refer to PowerPoint slide 9 and
Figure 24-6.)

Describe how the nephron uses secondary active transport for glucose and amino
acids. (Refer to Figure 24-7.)

Describe transport of substances in the proximal tubule, loop of Henle, and distal
tubule. (Refer to PowerPoint slides 10 to 14 and Figures 24-8 and 24-9.)

Describe how aldosterone regulates transport. (Refer to Figure 24-10.)
Learning Objective 3. Describe how the kidney produces a concentrated or dilute urine.

Explain the mechanisms by which urine concentration is regulated. (Refer to
PowerPoint slide 15.)

Describe how ADH regulates urine volume. (Refer to PowerPoint slides 16 to
18.)

Describe how neural, humoral, and autoregulatory mechanisms regulate urine
volume.

Describe the location of the juxtaglomerular complex, and explain its function.
(Refer to PowerPoint slide 19 and Figure 24-11.)

Draw how the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system helps regulate blood
pressure. (Refer to PowerPoint slides 20 to 22.)
Learning Objective 4. Describe the elimination functions of the kidney.

Compare and contrast sodium and potassium elimination.

Compare and contrast aldosterone and atrial natriuretic peptide regulation of salt
and water excretion. (Refer to PowerPoint slides 23 and 24.)

Describe how the kidneys help to regulate blood pH.

Descirbe how the kidneys eliminate organic ions including uric acid, urea, and
drugs.
Learning Objective 5. Explain the endocrine functions of the kidney.

Compare and contrast the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone mechanism,
erythropoietin, and vitamin D. (Refer to PowerPoint slides 25 to 27.)
Learning Objective 6. Select tests of renal functions based on symptoms.

Differentiate renal clearance from GFR.

Differentiate blood tests that are used to evaluate renal function. (Refer to Table
24-1.)

Explain how creatinine, cystatin C, and blood urea nitrogen are used to estimate
GFR/renal function. (Refer to PowerPoint slides 28 to 30 and Figure 24-12.)

Describe the characteristics of normal and abnormal urine. (Refer to PowerPoint
slides 31 and 32 and Table 24-2.)

Explain the significance of casts and protein in the urine.

Explain how specific gravity/osmolality of urine reflects hydration status and
renal function, and list causes of increased and decreased specific gravity levels.