Quick Review Flashcards - Click to flip and test your knowledge!
Question
The process of removing chemical wastes, primarily nitrogenous ones, from the body is called _____.
Answer
excretion
Question
How does excretion differ from defecation?
Answer
Excretion removes metabolic chemical wastes, while defecation eliminates undigested food (faeces).
Question
Why is the term 'urinary system' often preferred over 'excretory system' in humans?
Answer
It specifically refers to the system responsible for the elimination of nitrogenous waste products.
Question
Which two respiratory products are produced by the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins?
Answer
$CO_2$ and $H_2O$
Question
Nitrogenous wastes like urea and uric acid are formed during the metabolism of which substances?
Answer
Proteins and other nitrogenous compounds.
Question
What organ is responsible for the elimination of $CO_2$?
Answer
The lungs.
Question
In what form is extra water released from the body through the skin?
Answer
Sweat.
Question
Where in the body is urea primarily produced?
Answer
In the liver.
Question
Urea is produced from the breakdown of _____.
Answer
dead protein-remains or extra amino acids.
Question
Why must urea be excreted from the blood?
Answer
It is highly poisonous and can cause death if allowed to accumulate to certain levels.
Question
Which water-soluble vitamins are considered substances to be eliminated if present in excess?
Answer
Vitamins B and C.
Question
Bile pigments, such as bilirubin, are breakdown products of the _____ of dead RBCs.
Answer
haemoglobin
Question
List the four main excretory organs in the human urinary system.
Answer
Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.
Question
List the three accessory excretory organs in humans.
Answer
Skin, lungs, and liver.
Question
What is the primary function of the sweat glands in terms of physiology?
Answer
Regulating body temperature through cooling.
Question
How does the liver assist in the excretion of ammonia?
Answer
It detoxifies ammonia by converting it into urea.
Question
Describe the physical location of the kidneys in the human body.
Answer
On either side of the backbone, protected by the last two pairs of ribs.
Question
Why is the right kidney typically located at a slightly lower level than the left kidney?
Answer
Due to the space occupied by the liver above it.
Question
What is the name of the notch on the median surface of each kidney where the ureter attaches?
Answer
The hilum.
Question
Term: Micturition
Answer
Definition: The process of expelling urine from the urinary bladder through the urethra.
Question
The front end of the ureter expanded into the kidney is known as the renal _____.
Answer
pelvis
Question
What prevents the backflow of urine when the bladder contracts?
Answer
The projecting openings of the ureters act like valves.
Question
Which circular muscle guards the opening of the bladder into the urethra?
Answer
The sphincter.
Question
Identify the outer dark region and the inner lighter region of the kidney.
Answer
Outer: Cortex; Inner: Medulla.
Question
The medulla is composed of finely striped conical structures called renal _____.
Answer
pyramids
Question
What is the name of the structural and functional unit of the kidney?
Answer
The nephron (or uriniferous tubule).
Question
The Malpighian capsule consists of which two structures?
Answer
Bowman's capsule and the glomerulus.
Question
Which part of the nephron is a thin-walled, cup-like structure that holds the glomerulus?
Answer
Bowman's capsule.
Question
What is the knot-like mass of blood capillaries within the Bowman's capsule called?
Answer
The glomerulus.
Question
Where is the Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT) located in relation to the Bowman's capsule?
Answer
It is the starting convoluted region nearest to the Bowman's capsule.
Question
The U-shaped part of the nephron located in the medulla is called the _____.
Answer
Loop of Henle
Question
Into which structure does the Distal Convoluted Tubule (DCT) open?
Answer
The collecting duct.
Question
Which blood vessel enters the Bowman's capsule to form the glomerulus?
Answer
The afferent arteriole.
Question
Which blood vessel leaves the Bowman's capsule after forming the glomerulus?
Answer
The efferent arteriole.
Question
How does the diameter of the afferent arteriole compare to that of the efferent arteriole?
Answer
The afferent arteriole is wider than the efferent arteriole.
Question
The secondary capillary network surrounding the renal tubule is known as the _____.
Answer
vasa recta
Question
List the three major steps in the production of urine.
Answer
(I) Ultrafiltration, (II) Reabsorption, and (III) Tubular secretion.
Question
What causes the high hydrostatic pressure required for ultrafiltration in the glomerulus?
Answer
The efferent arteriole being narrower than the afferent arteriole.
Question
The liquid part of the blood that filters out of the glomerulus into the Bowman's capsule is called _____.
Answer
glomerular filtrate
Question
Which blood components are too large to pass through the glomerular filter during ultrafiltration?
Answer
Corpuscles (blood cells) and proteins.
Question
Where does the majority of water and glucose reabsorption occur in the nephron?
Answer
The Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT).
Question
What is the process of reabsorbing only necessary substances to maintain blood concentration called?
Answer
Selective absorption (or selective reabsorption).
Question
In which part of the nephron does the secretion of foreign chemicals like penicillin occur?
Answer
The Distal Convoluted Tubule (DCT).
Question
Which ion is commonly secreted into the forming urine during tubular secretion?
Answer
Potassium ($K^+$).
Question
Approximately how much urine is produced by a healthy human per day?
Answer
$1.0$ to $1.5$ litres.
Question
What gives urine its typical clear yellow colour?
Answer
The pigment urochrome.
Question
How does a protein-rich diet affect the pH of urine?
Answer
It makes the urine more acidic.
Question
What causes the strong ammonia-like smell in urine that has been standing for some time?
Answer
Bacterial activity.
Question
Term: Haematuria
Answer
Definition: An abnormal condition where blood passes out with urine due to infection, stones, or tumours.
Question
The presence of excess glucose in urine, often indicating diabetes mellitus, is called _____.
Answer
glycosuria
Question
What condition might be indicated if urine is sweetish and attracts ants?
Answer
Diabetes mellitus.
Question
A condition called diabetes insipidus, resulting in tasteless urine, is caused by a deficiency in which hormone?
Answer
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH).
Question
What is the primary function of Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)?
Answer
It controls water reabsorption in the kidney tubules.
Question
Hormone: ADH
Answer
Secreted by: Posterior lobe of the pituitary gland.
Question
The increased production of urine due to reduced ADH secretion is called _____.
Answer
diuresis
Question
Substances like tea, coffee, or alcohol that increase urine formation are known as _____.
Answer
diuretics
Question
Term: Osmoregulation
Answer
Definition: The process of regulating the composition of blood and the osmotic pressure of the blood by the kidneys.
Question
Why is urine typically more concentrated and produced less frequently during summer?
Answer
More water is lost through perspiration, requiring the kidneys to reabsorb more water.
Question
What is 'uremia'?
Answer
The poisoning caused by the accumulation of high quantities of urea in the body.
Question
What is the medical name for an artificial kidney machine?
Answer
A dialysis machine.