PHGY 216 Human Physiology Final Exam Flashcards 2026 (MCQ version) (Modules 4-6)
Wilfrid Laurier University
PHGY 216 Final Exam Flashcards
(Modules 4-6)
Regulating electrolytes
What are the hemostatic functions of the Acid-base control
kidneys? Blood volume control
Regulation of blood pressure
This is the fluid within cells and comprises about
What is the intracellular fluid (ICF)?
2/3 of total body fluid
Fluid surrounding cells
Ex: Plasma, interstitial fluid, lymph and
What is the extracellular fluid (ECF)?
transcellular fluid
Comprises about 1/3 of total body fluid
Blood vessel walls
What barrier exists between the plasma and the **At the levels of capillaries, water and
interstitial fluid? everything else in the plasma can freely
exchange with the interstitial fluid
What barrier exists between the ICF and the Plasma membrane that surrounds each cell in
interstitial fluid? the body
ECF volume - closely regulated to
What are 2 factors regulated to maintain fluid maintain blood pressure
balance in the body? ECF osmolarity - prevents the swelling
or shrinking of cells
, By changing the plasma volume
How does the EFC volume influence blood Increasing ECF volume increases
pressure? plasma volume, which increases
arteriole blood pressure
What are the 2 control factors of ECF volume? Short-term control factors
(Baroreceptor reflex and fluid shifts)
Long-term control factors (Fluid
input/output)
Control of urine output by kidneys is critical for
What is fluid input/output?
long-term regulation of blood pressure
Mechanoreceptors that are located in
carotid artery and aortic arch
Detects changes in blood pressure
What is the baroreceptor reflex? When the pressure falls too low,
cardiac output and total peripheral
resistance will increase to raise blood
pressure
A decrease in plasma volume can temporarily be
compensated for by a shift of the fluids out of
What is a fluid shift?
the interstitial compartment to the plasma. Vice
versa.
Salt input:
Regulation of salt output is poor as it is
dependent on dietary salt
Necessary to replace salt lost daily
(sweat or poop)
What does regulation of salt look like? Salt output:
Excess salt must be eliminated (occurs
in kidneys)
Three pathways to eliminate salt: feces,
sweat and kidneys
Usually associated with overhydration or excess
What is the hypotonicity of the ECF?
free H2O (has 3 major causes)
, Renal failure
What are the 3 causes of hypotonicity? Rapid water ingestion
Over secretion of Vasopressin
What is renal failure? Not able to produce a concentrated urine
This can occur in healthy individuals if they drink
What is rapid water ingestion? volumes of water in excess of what kidneys can
deal with in a timely manner
What is over secretion of vasopressin? Promotes water retention
Insufficient water intake, or not
drinking enough
Diabetes insipidus, which involves a
deficiency in vasopressin
What are some causes for hypertonicity?
Excessive water loss due to heavy
sweating during extreme exercise,
prolonged bouts of vomiting or
diarrhea
What are the kidneys controlled by? Both neural and endocrine outputs
1. Maintain water balance in the body
2. Maintain body fluid osmolarity
3. Maintain proper plasma volume
4. Help maintain acid-base balance
5. Regulate ECF solutes
What are the 10 major functions of the kidneys?
6. Excrete wastes of metabolism
7. Excrete foreign compounds ingested
8. Produce erythropoietin
9. Produce renin
10. Activate vitamin D
, Bean-shaped organs
10cm in length
Each kidney has an adrenal gland on
the top
Describe the kidney’s structure. Outside of the kidney is the renal
cortex and the inside is called the renal
medulla, inner core of the kidney is
called the renal pelvis
Functional unit is called a nephron
Vascular component - Supplies blood
to the nephron
What are the 2 components of the nephron?
Tubular component - Carries filtrate
trough the nephron
The vascular component of the nephron refers
to the part that supplies blood to the nephron. It
What is the vascular component?
plays a crucial role in the filtration process that
occurs in the kidneys.
The tubular component of the nephron carries
What is the tubular component? filtrate through the nephron and is involved in
the processes of reabsorption and secretion.
A type of nephron located primarily in the outer
cortex of the kidney, responsible for the majority
What is a cortical nephron?
of renal function, including filtration and
reabsorption.
A type of nephron located near the border of
the cortex and medulla, it is essential for
producing concentrated urine and plays a key
What is a juxtamedullary nephron?
role in the kidney's ability to conserve water.
They are in close proximity to the long loops of
henle.
1. Renal artery
2. Afferent arteriole
In what order does the blood flow through the 3. Glomerulus
nephrons? 4. Efferent arteriole
5. Peritubular capillaries
6. Renal vein
Wilfrid Laurier University
PHGY 216 Final Exam Flashcards
(Modules 4-6)
Regulating electrolytes
What are the hemostatic functions of the Acid-base control
kidneys? Blood volume control
Regulation of blood pressure
This is the fluid within cells and comprises about
What is the intracellular fluid (ICF)?
2/3 of total body fluid
Fluid surrounding cells
Ex: Plasma, interstitial fluid, lymph and
What is the extracellular fluid (ECF)?
transcellular fluid
Comprises about 1/3 of total body fluid
Blood vessel walls
What barrier exists between the plasma and the **At the levels of capillaries, water and
interstitial fluid? everything else in the plasma can freely
exchange with the interstitial fluid
What barrier exists between the ICF and the Plasma membrane that surrounds each cell in
interstitial fluid? the body
ECF volume - closely regulated to
What are 2 factors regulated to maintain fluid maintain blood pressure
balance in the body? ECF osmolarity - prevents the swelling
or shrinking of cells
, By changing the plasma volume
How does the EFC volume influence blood Increasing ECF volume increases
pressure? plasma volume, which increases
arteriole blood pressure
What are the 2 control factors of ECF volume? Short-term control factors
(Baroreceptor reflex and fluid shifts)
Long-term control factors (Fluid
input/output)
Control of urine output by kidneys is critical for
What is fluid input/output?
long-term regulation of blood pressure
Mechanoreceptors that are located in
carotid artery and aortic arch
Detects changes in blood pressure
What is the baroreceptor reflex? When the pressure falls too low,
cardiac output and total peripheral
resistance will increase to raise blood
pressure
A decrease in plasma volume can temporarily be
compensated for by a shift of the fluids out of
What is a fluid shift?
the interstitial compartment to the plasma. Vice
versa.
Salt input:
Regulation of salt output is poor as it is
dependent on dietary salt
Necessary to replace salt lost daily
(sweat or poop)
What does regulation of salt look like? Salt output:
Excess salt must be eliminated (occurs
in kidneys)
Three pathways to eliminate salt: feces,
sweat and kidneys
Usually associated with overhydration or excess
What is the hypotonicity of the ECF?
free H2O (has 3 major causes)
, Renal failure
What are the 3 causes of hypotonicity? Rapid water ingestion
Over secretion of Vasopressin
What is renal failure? Not able to produce a concentrated urine
This can occur in healthy individuals if they drink
What is rapid water ingestion? volumes of water in excess of what kidneys can
deal with in a timely manner
What is over secretion of vasopressin? Promotes water retention
Insufficient water intake, or not
drinking enough
Diabetes insipidus, which involves a
deficiency in vasopressin
What are some causes for hypertonicity?
Excessive water loss due to heavy
sweating during extreme exercise,
prolonged bouts of vomiting or
diarrhea
What are the kidneys controlled by? Both neural and endocrine outputs
1. Maintain water balance in the body
2. Maintain body fluid osmolarity
3. Maintain proper plasma volume
4. Help maintain acid-base balance
5. Regulate ECF solutes
What are the 10 major functions of the kidneys?
6. Excrete wastes of metabolism
7. Excrete foreign compounds ingested
8. Produce erythropoietin
9. Produce renin
10. Activate vitamin D
, Bean-shaped organs
10cm in length
Each kidney has an adrenal gland on
the top
Describe the kidney’s structure. Outside of the kidney is the renal
cortex and the inside is called the renal
medulla, inner core of the kidney is
called the renal pelvis
Functional unit is called a nephron
Vascular component - Supplies blood
to the nephron
What are the 2 components of the nephron?
Tubular component - Carries filtrate
trough the nephron
The vascular component of the nephron refers
to the part that supplies blood to the nephron. It
What is the vascular component?
plays a crucial role in the filtration process that
occurs in the kidneys.
The tubular component of the nephron carries
What is the tubular component? filtrate through the nephron and is involved in
the processes of reabsorption and secretion.
A type of nephron located primarily in the outer
cortex of the kidney, responsible for the majority
What is a cortical nephron?
of renal function, including filtration and
reabsorption.
A type of nephron located near the border of
the cortex and medulla, it is essential for
producing concentrated urine and plays a key
What is a juxtamedullary nephron?
role in the kidney's ability to conserve water.
They are in close proximity to the long loops of
henle.
1. Renal artery
2. Afferent arteriole
In what order does the blood flow through the 3. Glomerulus
nephrons? 4. Efferent arteriole
5. Peritubular capillaries
6. Renal vein
