BIOS 255 Week 6: The Urinary System Lab Study Guide 2026
Chamberlain
1. Which structure is considered the functional unit of the kidney?
A. The renal pelvis
B. The nephron
C. The ureter
D. The major calyx
Answer: B
Rationale: The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney, responsible for filtering blood
and forming urine.
2. In which part of the kidney are the renal pyramids located?
A. Renal cortex
B. Renal medulla
C. Renal capsule
D. Renal sinus
Answer: B
Rationale: The renal medulla contains the cone-shaped renal pyramids.
3. Which vessel carries blood directly into the glomerulus?
A. Efferent arteriole
B. Afferent arteriole
C. Arcuate artery
D. Interlobular vein
Answer: B
,Rationale: The afferent arteriole delivers blood to the glomerulus for filtration.
4. Where does the majority of nutrient reabsorption (like glucose) occur in the
nephron?
A. Distal convoluted tubule
B. Loop of Henle
C. Collecting duct
D. Proximal convoluted tubule
Answer: D
Rationale: The proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) is where nearly all glucose, amino acids,
and most electrolytes are reabsorbed.
5. Which hormone is primarily responsible for increasing water reabsorption in
the collecting ducts?
A. Atrial natriuretic peptide
B. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
C. Parathyroid hormone
D. Renin
Answer: B
Rationale: ADH (Vasopressin) increases the permeability of the collecting ducts to water
by inserting aquaporins.
6. The visceral layer of the glomerular capsule is composed of specialized cells
called:
A. Podocytes
B. Mesangial cells
C. Macula densa cells
D. Juxtaglomerular cells
Answer: A
, Rationale: Podocytes wrap around the glomerular capillaries and form filtration slits.
7. What is the correct sequence of fluid flow through the nephron?
A. PCT, Glomerular capsule, DCT, Loop of Henle
B. Glomerular capsule, DCT, Loop of Henle, PCT, collecting duct
C. Glomerular capsule, PCT, Loop of Henle, DCT, collecting duct
D. Loop of Henle, PCT, DCT, Glomerular capsule
Answer: C
Rationale: Filtrate moves from the capsule to the PCT, down and up the Loop of Henle, into
the DCT, and finally into the collecting duct.
8. The trigone is a triangular region found in which organ?
A. Kidney
B. Urinary bladder
C. Urethra
D. Ureter
Answer: B
Rationale: The trigone is the smooth triangular area at the base of the urinary bladder
between the ureteric and urethral openings.
9. Which cells in the juxtaglomerular apparatus act as mechanoreceptors to
sense blood pressure in the afferent arteriole?
A. Macula densa cells
B. Juxtaglomerular (JG) cells
C. Podocytes
D. Principal cells
Answer: B
Rationale: JG cells (granular cells) are modified smooth muscle cells that act as
mechanoreceptors and secrete renin.
Chamberlain
1. Which structure is considered the functional unit of the kidney?
A. The renal pelvis
B. The nephron
C. The ureter
D. The major calyx
Answer: B
Rationale: The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney, responsible for filtering blood
and forming urine.
2. In which part of the kidney are the renal pyramids located?
A. Renal cortex
B. Renal medulla
C. Renal capsule
D. Renal sinus
Answer: B
Rationale: The renal medulla contains the cone-shaped renal pyramids.
3. Which vessel carries blood directly into the glomerulus?
A. Efferent arteriole
B. Afferent arteriole
C. Arcuate artery
D. Interlobular vein
Answer: B
,Rationale: The afferent arteriole delivers blood to the glomerulus for filtration.
4. Where does the majority of nutrient reabsorption (like glucose) occur in the
nephron?
A. Distal convoluted tubule
B. Loop of Henle
C. Collecting duct
D. Proximal convoluted tubule
Answer: D
Rationale: The proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) is where nearly all glucose, amino acids,
and most electrolytes are reabsorbed.
5. Which hormone is primarily responsible for increasing water reabsorption in
the collecting ducts?
A. Atrial natriuretic peptide
B. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
C. Parathyroid hormone
D. Renin
Answer: B
Rationale: ADH (Vasopressin) increases the permeability of the collecting ducts to water
by inserting aquaporins.
6. The visceral layer of the glomerular capsule is composed of specialized cells
called:
A. Podocytes
B. Mesangial cells
C. Macula densa cells
D. Juxtaglomerular cells
Answer: A
, Rationale: Podocytes wrap around the glomerular capillaries and form filtration slits.
7. What is the correct sequence of fluid flow through the nephron?
A. PCT, Glomerular capsule, DCT, Loop of Henle
B. Glomerular capsule, DCT, Loop of Henle, PCT, collecting duct
C. Glomerular capsule, PCT, Loop of Henle, DCT, collecting duct
D. Loop of Henle, PCT, DCT, Glomerular capsule
Answer: C
Rationale: Filtrate moves from the capsule to the PCT, down and up the Loop of Henle, into
the DCT, and finally into the collecting duct.
8. The trigone is a triangular region found in which organ?
A. Kidney
B. Urinary bladder
C. Urethra
D. Ureter
Answer: B
Rationale: The trigone is the smooth triangular area at the base of the urinary bladder
between the ureteric and urethral openings.
9. Which cells in the juxtaglomerular apparatus act as mechanoreceptors to
sense blood pressure in the afferent arteriole?
A. Macula densa cells
B. Juxtaglomerular (JG) cells
C. Podocytes
D. Principal cells
Answer: B
Rationale: JG cells (granular cells) are modified smooth muscle cells that act as
mechanoreceptors and secrete renin.
