PhysioEx Ex. 9 Act. 3
PhysioEx Ex. 9 Act. 3
PhysioEx Ex. 9 Act. 3
Exercise 9: Renal System Physiology: Activity 3: Renal Response to Altered Blood Pressure Lab Report
1. If all other variables are kept constant, how does the afferent arteriole radius affect the rate of glomerular filtration (select
all that apply)?
You correctly answered: c. An increased afferent arteriole radius will increase the rate of glomerular filtration. d. A
decreased afferent arteriole radius will decrease the rate of glomerular filtration.
2. If all other variables are kept constant, how does the efferent arteriole radius affect the rate of glomerular filtration (select
all that apply)?
You correctly answered: a. An increased efferent arteriole radius will decrease the rate of glomerular filtration. b. A
decreased efferent arteriole radius will increase the rate of glomerular filtration.
3. If all other variables are kept constant, how does blood pressure affect the rate of glomerular filtration (select all that
apply)?
You correctly answered: b. If blood pressure goes up, the rate of glomerular filtration goes up. d. If blood pressure goes
down, the rate of glomerular filtration goes down.
4. In the absence of other renal processes (including tubular reabsorption and secretion), more glomerular filtration leads
to a larger urine volume.
You correctly answered: a. true
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Experiment Results
Predict Question:
Predict Question: What will happen to the glomerular capillary pressure rate and glomerular filtration rate if both of these
arteriole radii changes are implemented simultaneously with the low blood pressure condition?
Your answer : b. Glomerular filtration rate and pressure will rise above baseline values.
Comparing the glomerular filtration rate and glomerular capillary pressure with the baseline values (from the first run), how
effective was the decreased efferent arteriole radius in compensating for the low blood pressure?
You correctly answered: b. The efferent arteriole constriction improved the low glomerular capillary pressure and filtration
rate marginally.
Experiment Data:
Afferent Radius Efferent Radius Beaker Press. Glomerular Press. Glom. Filt. Rate Urine Volume
(mm) (mm) (mm Hg) (mm Hg) (ml/min) (ml)
0.50 0.45 90 55.08 124.99 200.44
0.50 0.45 70 49.72 58.57 161.76
0.60 0.45 70 54.25 114.72 196.72
0.50 0.35 70 51.24 77.41 231.12
0.60 0.35 70 55.58 131.15 245.57
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Post-lab Quiz Results
You scored 100% by answering 4 out of 4 questions correctly.
1. If all other variables are kept constant, when blood pressure decreases, glomerular filtration
You correctly answered: c. decreases.
2. If afferent arteriole radius decreases in response to an increase in blood pressure, then glomerular filtration
You correctly answered: b. remains approximately the same.
3. If all other variables are kept constant, when the efferent arteriole radius decreases, glomerular filtration
You correctly answered: a. increases.
4. With blood pressure held at a constant value, which of the following combinations will raise the glomerular filtration rate
above baseline values?
You correctly answered: b. afferent arteriole dilation and efferent arteriole constriction
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Review Sheet Results
1. List the several mechanisms you have explored that change the glomerular filtration rate. How does each mechanism
specifically alter the glomerular filtration rate?
Your answer:
An increase in glomerular filtration rate occurs by increasing the afferent arteriole radius but decreasing the efferent arteriole
radius. Blood pressure also causes an increase or decrease in filtration rate, depending on which mechanism is
manipulated.
2. Describe and explain what happened to the glomerular capillary pressure and glomerular filtration rate when both
arteriole radii changes were implemented simultaneously with the low blood pressure condition. How well did the results
compare with your prediction?
Your answer:
Glomerular filtration rate and pressure were both raised above baseline values when both of the arteriole radii were
changed as I have predicted.
3. How could you adjust the afferent or efferent radius to compensate for the effect of reduced blood pressure on the
glomerular filtration rate?
Your answer:
The best way to compensate for lowered blood pressure would be to increase the afferent radius or decrease the efferent
radius.
4. Which arteriole radius adjustment was more effective at compensating for the effect of low blood pressure on the
glomerular filtration rate? Explain why you think this difference occurs.
Your answer:
An increase in the afferent radius was more effective at compensating for the effect of low blood pressure because it
resulted in a greater increase in glomerular pressure.
5. In the body, how does a nephron maintain a near-constant glomerular filtration rate despite a constantly fluctuating
blood pressure?
Your answer:
The nephron contains mechanisms, both intrinsically and extrinsically, that adapt the afferent and efferent arterioles to
maintain the glomerular filtration rate despite a constantly fluctuating blood pressure.
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