BIOL 252 Human Anatomy & Physiology II w/Lab | Module 7
Exam Review 200 Practice Questions and Answers – Urinary
System (Portage Learning)
Question 1: Which structure carries urine from the kidney to the bladder?
A) Renal pelvis
B) Ureter
C) Urethra
D) Collecting duct
Answer: B
Rationale: The ureters are muscular tubes that transport urine from the renal pelvis of each kidney to
the urinary bladder via peristaltic contractions. The urethra carries urine from the bladder out of the
body.
Question 2: Which layer of the kidney surrounds and protects it, attaching it to surrounding tissues?
A) Renal capsule
B) Renal fascia
C) Adipose capsule
D) Cortex
Answer: B
Rationale: The renal fascia is a dense, fibrous connective tissue layer that anchors the kidney to
surrounding structures and the abdominal wall. The renal capsule directly covers the kidney, and the
adipose capsule provides cushioning.
,Question 3: Which part of the nephron is responsible for filtration of blood?
A) Proximal convoluted tubule
B) Distal convoluted tubule
C) Glomerulus
D) Loop of Henle
Answer: C
Rationale: The glomerulus is a tuft of capillaries where blood is filtered. The high pressure in these
capillaries forces fluid and small solutes out of the blood and into Bowman's capsule, beginning urine
formation.
Question 4: Which structure drains the minor calyces into the renal pelvis?
A) Nephron
B) Major calyces
C) Collecting duct
D) Ureter
Answer: B
Rationale: The major calyces are formed by the convergence of several minor calyces and funnel urine
into the renal pelvis. They act as a conduit between the minor calyces and the renal pelvis.
Question 5: The functional unit of the kidney is called:
A) Renal lobe
B) Nephron
C) Renal pyramid
D) Renal cortex
,Answer: B
Rationale: The nephron is the microscopic structural and functional unit of the kidney responsible for
filtering blood, reabsorbing nutrients, and forming urine. Each kidney contains about 1 million nephrons.
Question 6: Which part of the nephron is primarily responsible for reabsorbing water and nutrients?
A) Distal convoluted tubule
B) Loop of Henle
C) Proximal convoluted tubule
D) Collecting duct
Answer: C
Rationale: The proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) reabsorbs approximately 65% of filtered water,
sodium, glucose, amino acids, and other essential nutrients. Its brush border increases surface area for
reabsorption.
Question 7: Which part of the nephron creates a concentration gradient in the medulla?
A) Proximal tubule
B) Distal tubule
C) Loop of Henle
D) Collecting duct
Answer: C
, Rationale: The loop of Henle, particularly its descending and ascending limbs, establishes an osmotic
gradient in the renal medulla through countercurrent multiplication. This gradient is essential for water
reabsorption and urine concentration.
Question 8: Which type of nephron has a long loop of Henle that extends deep into the medulla?
A) Cortical nephron
B) Juxtamedullary nephron
C) Superficial nephron
D) None of the above
Answer: B
Rationale: Juxtamedullary nephrons have long loops of Henle that extend deep into the renal medulla,
allowing them to produce concentrated urine. Cortical nephrons have shorter loops and are located
primarily in the cortex.
Question 9: Which capillary network surrounds the nephron and allows for reabsorption and secretion?
A) Glomerulus
B) Peritubular capillaries
C) Vasa recta
D) Renal vein
Answer: B
Rationale: Peritubular capillaries arise from the efferent arteriole and surround the proximal and distal
convoluted tubules, facilitating the exchange of solutes and water between the blood and tubular fluid.
Exam Review 200 Practice Questions and Answers – Urinary
System (Portage Learning)
Question 1: Which structure carries urine from the kidney to the bladder?
A) Renal pelvis
B) Ureter
C) Urethra
D) Collecting duct
Answer: B
Rationale: The ureters are muscular tubes that transport urine from the renal pelvis of each kidney to
the urinary bladder via peristaltic contractions. The urethra carries urine from the bladder out of the
body.
Question 2: Which layer of the kidney surrounds and protects it, attaching it to surrounding tissues?
A) Renal capsule
B) Renal fascia
C) Adipose capsule
D) Cortex
Answer: B
Rationale: The renal fascia is a dense, fibrous connective tissue layer that anchors the kidney to
surrounding structures and the abdominal wall. The renal capsule directly covers the kidney, and the
adipose capsule provides cushioning.
,Question 3: Which part of the nephron is responsible for filtration of blood?
A) Proximal convoluted tubule
B) Distal convoluted tubule
C) Glomerulus
D) Loop of Henle
Answer: C
Rationale: The glomerulus is a tuft of capillaries where blood is filtered. The high pressure in these
capillaries forces fluid and small solutes out of the blood and into Bowman's capsule, beginning urine
formation.
Question 4: Which structure drains the minor calyces into the renal pelvis?
A) Nephron
B) Major calyces
C) Collecting duct
D) Ureter
Answer: B
Rationale: The major calyces are formed by the convergence of several minor calyces and funnel urine
into the renal pelvis. They act as a conduit between the minor calyces and the renal pelvis.
Question 5: The functional unit of the kidney is called:
A) Renal lobe
B) Nephron
C) Renal pyramid
D) Renal cortex
,Answer: B
Rationale: The nephron is the microscopic structural and functional unit of the kidney responsible for
filtering blood, reabsorbing nutrients, and forming urine. Each kidney contains about 1 million nephrons.
Question 6: Which part of the nephron is primarily responsible for reabsorbing water and nutrients?
A) Distal convoluted tubule
B) Loop of Henle
C) Proximal convoluted tubule
D) Collecting duct
Answer: C
Rationale: The proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) reabsorbs approximately 65% of filtered water,
sodium, glucose, amino acids, and other essential nutrients. Its brush border increases surface area for
reabsorption.
Question 7: Which part of the nephron creates a concentration gradient in the medulla?
A) Proximal tubule
B) Distal tubule
C) Loop of Henle
D) Collecting duct
Answer: C
, Rationale: The loop of Henle, particularly its descending and ascending limbs, establishes an osmotic
gradient in the renal medulla through countercurrent multiplication. This gradient is essential for water
reabsorption and urine concentration.
Question 8: Which type of nephron has a long loop of Henle that extends deep into the medulla?
A) Cortical nephron
B) Juxtamedullary nephron
C) Superficial nephron
D) None of the above
Answer: B
Rationale: Juxtamedullary nephrons have long loops of Henle that extend deep into the renal medulla,
allowing them to produce concentrated urine. Cortical nephrons have shorter loops and are located
primarily in the cortex.
Question 9: Which capillary network surrounds the nephron and allows for reabsorption and secretion?
A) Glomerulus
B) Peritubular capillaries
C) Vasa recta
D) Renal vein
Answer: B
Rationale: Peritubular capillaries arise from the efferent arteriole and surround the proximal and distal
convoluted tubules, facilitating the exchange of solutes and water between the blood and tubular fluid.
