The Simulation of the Formation of Urine, and the Diagnosis of Four Patients Based on the Presence of
Organic Compounds and Inorganic Compounds in Urine and on the Physical Properties of Urine
The purpose of this experiment was to observe characteristics of “normal” urine, to discern the organic and
inorganic elements of urine, and to determine health discrepancies of four patients based on the characteristics of
urine and the elements that were found within the samples.
The urinary system filters blood through the kidneys in order to remove wastes created from metabolic
activities. This filtering process creates urine. Urine normally contains water, sodium ions, phosphate ions, creatine,
uric acid, and urea, however under different conditions, urine composition has the capability to change to contain
different levels of organic and inorganic compounds. Unusually levels of or the presence of different components in
urine are usually indicative of a health discrepancy.
The first part of this experiment examined the formation of urine and the stimulation of the kidney by
placing simulated blood into a dialysis tube and placing the tube into a beaker of distilled water. After thirty minutes
of the dialysis tube sitting in the beaker, the color of the beaker changed from clear to yellow, and the color of the
blood in the dialysis sac changed from dark red to light red. The salt concentration in the cup changed from zero to
salt being present in the water. After observing the solution from the beaker under a microscope, it was found that
no blood cells passed through the tubing into the cup. Based on the results obtained, this simulated process
successfully created urine through the filtering of the blood. Due to the increase in the concentration of salt in the
beaker and the lack of flow past the membrane of the dialysis sac, this process accurately reflects “normal” urine
being created.
The second experiment examined physical characteristics of urine through observation of urine color,
transparency levels, odor, pH and specific gravity of Urine for samples A,B,C and D. Samples A-C all had a
medium yellow color while D had a dark yellow color, and all samples were transparent. Samples A and C had a
normal odor while B and D had an abnormal odor. Samples A and B had a pH of 7, sample C had a pH of 9, and
sample D had a pH of 8. Each sample had a differing specific gravity. A was 1000, B was 990, C was 1030, and D
was 980. Based on these physical characteristics, it was concluded that only sample B contained normal properties.
The third part of the experiment determined inorganic constituents in the urine samples by using HCl,
dilute nitric acid and ammonium molybdate, and silver nitrate to test for sulfates, phosphates, and chlorides
respectively. Precipitates after the addition of the above components was indicative of the presence of the ions that
were being tested for. Sample C contained precipitate after the addition of HCl and silver nitrate, and sample D
contained a precipitate after nitric acid and ammonium molybdate were added to the sample. Based on the data
collected, it was determined that sample C contained sulfate and chloride ions, and sample D contained phosphates.
The last segment of this experiment tested for organic constituents in the urine sample. Urea was tested for
by adding nitric acid to the urine on a slide, warming it, and observing the slide under a microscope to search for
crystallization. Glucose was tested for by adding Benedict’s solution to the samples and boiling them, and by adding
a Clinitest tablet to the samples. A mulit-test strip was used to observe protein concentration in the samples, and
ketones were tested by using a ketone test trip. Finally, to test for mucin, the urine was boiled, and glacial acetic acid
was added to test for a precipitate, and sodium hydroxide was added to determine if the precipitate could be
removed. Based on rhombic crystal formations, it was found that urea was found present in sample A. Sample A
was also found to contain glucose levels of 5% or more by the Clinitest tablets, which matched the positive testing
of glucose presence by Benedict’s solution. Proteins were found in concentrations of 30+ mg/dl in samples C and D,
and sample D also was determined to have mucin present. None of the samples contained ketones.
Based on all of the data collected for the different experiments on the four samples, each patient received a
diagnosis of a health discrepancy. It was concluded that patient A had high blood sugar and potentially diabetes
based on the high levels of glucose in their urine. Patient B was found to the control, and was completely healthy.
Patient C was diagnosed with high acidity in their blood and kidney damage and filter problems based on the high
pH level of the urine sample and the presence of proteins. Lastly, patient D was determined to have high acidity,
kidney damage, filter problems, and inflammation of the urinary tract. This diagnosis was concluded due to the high
pH of the urine, the high protein concentration in the urine, and the high mucin levels that were present in the
sample.