BIOL_SCI 217 PHYSIOLOGY

FALL 2017
RENAL PHYSIOLOGY PRACTICE PROBLEMS

These practice problems are meant to give a sense of the styles of questions (true/false, multiple
choice) that may be asked. This set of questions is not representative of the breadth or depth of
material that may be covered in an exam.

FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING, CHOOSE EITHER TRUE OR FALSE

1. A decrease in PBC will cause a decrease in GFR.

A. True B. False

2. Plasma/filtrate is topologically outside the body once it has reached the basement membrane
(basal lamina) between the glomerular capillary endothelium and the Bowman’s epithelium.
A. True B. False

3. Blood flowing through the renal portal system enters the portal system via the nephron’s
afferent arteriole and exits the portal system via the nephron’s efferent arteriole.
A. True B. False

4. The physiological parameter in the kidney being regulated by the myogenic response is GFR.
A. True B. False

5. Unregulated Na+ reabsorption in the proximal tubule requires activity of the Na+/K+ ATPase.
A. True B. False

6. Angiotensin I is converted to Angiotensin II by angiotensin converting enzyme.

A. True B. False

7. Aldosterone is a corticosteroid that binds receptors on the basolateral membrane of the distal
nephron.
A. True B. False
FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS, CHOOSE THE ONE BEST
ANSWER.

8. Which of the following statements is TRUE of bulk fluid exchange in capillaries?

A. Colloid osmotic pressure decreases along the length of the capillary.

B. The source of hydrostatic pressure is ventricular contraction.
C. As blood travels through the capillary bed, plasma volume first increases, then decreases.
D. Approximately 20% of fluid is lost to the interstitial space and lymphatics.
E. Net absorption occurs when hydrostatic pressure is greater than colloid osmotic pressure.

9. Which of the following structures is NOT closely associated with the juxtaglomerular apparatus?

A. Granular cells
B. Afferent arteriole
C. Efferent arteriole
D. Descending loop of Henle
E. Macula densa
F. All of these structures are closely associated with the juxtaglomerular apparatus.

10. Which of the following is NOT TRUE of the macula densa?

A. The macula densa secretes prostaglandins in response to abnormally low flow rate.
B. The macula densa secretes nitric oxide (NO) leading to increased GFR.
C. The macula densa secretes adenosine onto the afferent arteriole leading to decreased GFR.
D. The macula densa secretes adenosine onto granular cells leading to increased renin
release.
E. All of the above statements are true of the macula densa.

11. Furosemide enhances diuresis (production of urine) by…

A. increasing GFR in the renal corpuscle.

B. enhancing salt reabsorption in the ascending loop of Henle.
C. blocking the action of aldosterone in the descending loop of Henle.
D. blocking the action of ADH in the distal tubule.
E. decreasing the medullary concentration gradient.
12. In the absence of homeostatic regulation, which of the following changes would tend to
decrease GFR?

1. An increase in permeability of glomerular filtration apparatus to plasma proteins

2. A decrease in mean arterial pressure
3. Constriction of the efferent arteriole
4. Increased colloid pressure in the glomerular capillaries

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. 3 only
D. 4 only
E. 1 and 2 only
F. 1 and 4 only
G. 2 and 3 only
H. 2 and 4 only
I. 3 and 4 only
J. 2, 3, and 4 only

13. Which of the following statements about aldosterone is TRUE?

A. Aldosterone release is triggered by an increase in blood pressure.

B. Aldosterone enhances flow through ENaC and ROMK cation channels in the distal
tubule.
C. In epithelial cells, aldosterone binds to its receptor on the basolateral membrane leading to
synthesis of new membrane transport proteins.
D. Aldosterone decreases Na+/K+ ATPase activity in the distal tubule by limiting [Na+]ICF in
distal tubule epithelial cells.
E. There is more than one correct statement about aldosterone in the above responses.

14. Prof. McCary finds herself running from a bear. Her mean arterial pressure increases to 140 mm
Hg, causing an initial increase in blood flow through the renal arterioles. In response to this
initial increase in blood flow, which of the following would you expect to observe?

A. Blood flow through renal arterioles will temporarily decrease due to intrinsic
mechanisms homeostatically regulating GFR.
B. The myogenic response will cause constriction of the afferent arteriole, leading to increased
GFR.
C. The myogenic response will cause increased afferent arteriole resistance, leading to increased
GFR.
D. Granular cells in the ascending loop of Henle will sense a decrease in tubule filtrate flow rate
and release prostaglandins directly onto the afferent arteriole, leading to decreased GFR.
E. Granular cells in the ascending loop of Henle will sense a decrease in tubule filtrate flow rate
and release angiotensin II directly onto the afferent arteriole, leading to decreased GFR.
15. What is the effect of blocking secondary active transport in the descending loop of Henle?

A. An increase in filtrate osmolarity

B. A decrease in filtrate osmolarity
C. Increased water loss from the descending loop
D. Decreased water loss from the descending loop
E. None of the above are correct