BIOD 152: Module 8 Exam Portage Learning Questions and
Answers 2026 Practice Set
BIOD 152: Module 8 Urinary System Test Bank
1. Which of the following is NOT a primary function of the urinary system?
A. Regulation of blood volume and pressure
B. Elimination of nitrogenous wastes
C. Production of digestive enzymes
D. Regulation of blood pH
Answer: C
Rationale: The urinary system filters blood and maintains homeostasis; digestive
enzymes are produced by the GI tract and accessory organs.
2. The kidneys are located in which position relative to the peritoneum?
A. Intraperitoneal
B. Retroperitoneal
C. Infraperitoneal
D. Subperitoneal
Answer: B
Rationale: Retroperitoneal means the kidneys are located behind the smooth lining of
the abdominal cavity, against the posterior body wall.
3. The indentation on the medial surface of the kidney where blood vessels and
the ureter enter/exit is the:
A. Renal cortex
B. Renal pelvis
C. Renal hilum
D. Renal medulla
Answer: C
Rationale: The hilum is the "root" of the kidney for the renal artery, renal vein, and
ureter.
4. The functional unit of the kidney responsible for urine formation is the:
A. Neuron
B. Nephron
C. Calyx
D. Glomerulus only
,Answer: B
Rationale: There are approximately 1 million nephrons per kidney, each capable of
filtering blood and producing urine.
5. Which of the following is the correct order of blood flow through the kidney?
A. Renal artery, Afferent arteriole, Glomerulus, Efferent arteriole
B. Renal vein, Efferent arteriole, Glomerulus, Afferent arteriole
C. Afferent arteriole, Efferent arteriole, Glomerulus
D. Interlobar artery, Renal artery, Glomerulus
Answer: A
Rationale: Blood enters via the renal artery, is filtered in the glomerulus, and exits the
capillary bed via the efferent arteriole.
6. The "Renal Corpuscle" consists of which two structures?
A. Proximal tubule and Distal tubule
B. Glomerulus and Bowman's (Glomerular) Capsule
C. Loop of Henle and Collecting Duct
D. Cortex and Medulla
Answer: B
Rationale: The corpuscle is the site of the first step in urine formation: filtration.
7. Which part of the nephron is responsible for the majority (65%) of
reabsorption?
A. Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT)
B. Distal Convoluted Tubule (DCT)
C. Nephron Loop (Loop of Henle)
D. Collecting Duct
Answer: A
Rationale: The PCT has a brush border of microvilli that exponentially increases surface
area for reabsorbing water, ions, and nutrients.
8. The "Glomerular Filtration Rate" (GFR) is defined as the:
A. Total amount of urine produced per day
B. Amount of filtrate formed by both kidneys per minute
C. Speed of blood flow through the renal vein
D. Pressure of the bladder
Answer: B
Rationale: A normal GFR is approximately 125 mL/min; it is a key indicator of kidney
health.
, 9. "Podocytes" are specialized cells found in the:
A. Inner (visceral) layer of Bowman’s capsule
B. Wall of the bladder
C. Loop of Henle
D. Renal pelvis
Answer: A
Rationale: Podocytes have "foot processes" that wrap around glomerular capillaries,
creating filtration slits.
10. Which substance should NOT be found in the filtrate of a healthy individual?
A. Glucose
B. Urea
C. Albumin (Large proteins)
D. Sodium
Answer: C
Rationale: Large proteins and blood cells are too big to pass through the filtration
membrane; their presence in urine indicates kidney damage.
11. The "Juxtaglomerular Apparatus" (JGA) helps regulate GFR by monitoring:
A. Blood glucose
B. Blood pressure and the concentration of filtrate
C. Urine color
D. Oxygen levels
Answer: B
Rationale: The JGA consists of the Macula Densa and Juxtaglomerular cells which
detect changes in NaCl and blood pressure.
12. "Renin" is an enzyme secreted by the kidneys in response to:
A. High blood pressure
B. Low blood pressure
C. High blood sugar
D. Dehydration only
Answer: B
Rationale: Renin starts the RAA pathway to ultimately raise blood pressure and volume.
13. The "Loop of Henle" (Nephron Loop) is primarily responsible for:
A. Filtering proteins
B. Creating a concentration gradient in the medulla to conserve water
C. Secreting drugs
D. Storing urine
Answers 2026 Practice Set
BIOD 152: Module 8 Urinary System Test Bank
1. Which of the following is NOT a primary function of the urinary system?
A. Regulation of blood volume and pressure
B. Elimination of nitrogenous wastes
C. Production of digestive enzymes
D. Regulation of blood pH
Answer: C
Rationale: The urinary system filters blood and maintains homeostasis; digestive
enzymes are produced by the GI tract and accessory organs.
2. The kidneys are located in which position relative to the peritoneum?
A. Intraperitoneal
B. Retroperitoneal
C. Infraperitoneal
D. Subperitoneal
Answer: B
Rationale: Retroperitoneal means the kidneys are located behind the smooth lining of
the abdominal cavity, against the posterior body wall.
3. The indentation on the medial surface of the kidney where blood vessels and
the ureter enter/exit is the:
A. Renal cortex
B. Renal pelvis
C. Renal hilum
D. Renal medulla
Answer: C
Rationale: The hilum is the "root" of the kidney for the renal artery, renal vein, and
ureter.
4. The functional unit of the kidney responsible for urine formation is the:
A. Neuron
B. Nephron
C. Calyx
D. Glomerulus only
,Answer: B
Rationale: There are approximately 1 million nephrons per kidney, each capable of
filtering blood and producing urine.
5. Which of the following is the correct order of blood flow through the kidney?
A. Renal artery, Afferent arteriole, Glomerulus, Efferent arteriole
B. Renal vein, Efferent arteriole, Glomerulus, Afferent arteriole
C. Afferent arteriole, Efferent arteriole, Glomerulus
D. Interlobar artery, Renal artery, Glomerulus
Answer: A
Rationale: Blood enters via the renal artery, is filtered in the glomerulus, and exits the
capillary bed via the efferent arteriole.
6. The "Renal Corpuscle" consists of which two structures?
A. Proximal tubule and Distal tubule
B. Glomerulus and Bowman's (Glomerular) Capsule
C. Loop of Henle and Collecting Duct
D. Cortex and Medulla
Answer: B
Rationale: The corpuscle is the site of the first step in urine formation: filtration.
7. Which part of the nephron is responsible for the majority (65%) of
reabsorption?
A. Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT)
B. Distal Convoluted Tubule (DCT)
C. Nephron Loop (Loop of Henle)
D. Collecting Duct
Answer: A
Rationale: The PCT has a brush border of microvilli that exponentially increases surface
area for reabsorbing water, ions, and nutrients.
8. The "Glomerular Filtration Rate" (GFR) is defined as the:
A. Total amount of urine produced per day
B. Amount of filtrate formed by both kidneys per minute
C. Speed of blood flow through the renal vein
D. Pressure of the bladder
Answer: B
Rationale: A normal GFR is approximately 125 mL/min; it is a key indicator of kidney
health.
, 9. "Podocytes" are specialized cells found in the:
A. Inner (visceral) layer of Bowman’s capsule
B. Wall of the bladder
C. Loop of Henle
D. Renal pelvis
Answer: A
Rationale: Podocytes have "foot processes" that wrap around glomerular capillaries,
creating filtration slits.
10. Which substance should NOT be found in the filtrate of a healthy individual?
A. Glucose
B. Urea
C. Albumin (Large proteins)
D. Sodium
Answer: C
Rationale: Large proteins and blood cells are too big to pass through the filtration
membrane; their presence in urine indicates kidney damage.
11. The "Juxtaglomerular Apparatus" (JGA) helps regulate GFR by monitoring:
A. Blood glucose
B. Blood pressure and the concentration of filtrate
C. Urine color
D. Oxygen levels
Answer: B
Rationale: The JGA consists of the Macula Densa and Juxtaglomerular cells which
detect changes in NaCl and blood pressure.
12. "Renin" is an enzyme secreted by the kidneys in response to:
A. High blood pressure
B. Low blood pressure
C. High blood sugar
D. Dehydration only
Answer: B
Rationale: Renin starts the RAA pathway to ultimately raise blood pressure and volume.
13. The "Loop of Henle" (Nephron Loop) is primarily responsible for:
A. Filtering proteins
B. Creating a concentration gradient in the medulla to conserve water
C. Secreting drugs
D. Storing urine
