Lab
Name
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OL Lab 4: Renal Physiology: Find the mode of action of a diuretic drug
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the morphological relationships between the kidney tubules and
the circulatory system.
• Analyze experimental data for calculating glomerular filtration rate.
• Set up and perform a perfusion of renal tubules, including the calculation of
liquid absorption rates.
• Learn about the epithelial transport mechanism in the kidney tubules.
• Use experimental data to assess the mode of action of a diuretic drug.
Kidneys play a critical role in the filtration and reabsorption of essential substances that are
required for the body. In this simulation, you will explore the anatomy of the kidney through 3-D
holograms and identify the physiological roles in maintaining homeostasis as well as the factors
that influence urine regulation.
In this simulation, you will use the kidney from a dissected rat to study the mode of action of a
new diuretic drug and learn the reabsorption process in the renal tubules. You will learn how to
calculate the glomerular filtration rate or GFR and learn the hormones that influence urine
output. At the end of the simulation, you should be able to correlate the relationship between
renal and circulatory systems in controlling blood pressure.
Part 1: Complete Labster- Renal Physiology: Find the mode of action of a diuretic drug
Part 2: Report and Reflection
, BIOS256 OL, Week 4
Lab
Name
:
Purpose: Describe in your own words and in complete sentences, the purpose of this
experiment. (1 point)
The purpose of this experiment was to learn how to use experimental data to figure out
the mode of action of a diuretic drug (Drug X). It was also to learn about the reabsorption
process in the renal tubules. Lastly about the calculation of liquid absorption rates.
Observations: List 2 observations you have made in this simulation. (2 points)
1: The first is that a standard way to estimate the glomerulus filtration rate is by measuring the
loss of creatinine through the urine.
2: Diuretics help your kidneys release more sodium into your urine. Patients taking a diuretic
would show lower-than-normal levels of ADH and or aldosterone.
3: The distal convoluted tubule reabsorbs sodium and chloride ions and produces ammonium.
Answer all the questions below:
1. In the simulation, why was the ascending limb of the nephron selected to study
the effect of the diuretic drug? (2 points)
The ascending limb of the nephron was selected to study because of the effects of the
diuretic drug. The drug acts essentially by blocking important ions such as sodium,
potassium, and chlorine. When this happens, the fact is that the water will stay in the
tubule, which will lead to a collecting duct and then onto the bladder.
2. What is renal perfusion, and how does it affect blood pressure? (2 points)
Renal perfusion is the passage of fluid through the kidney ducts. It is the process of how
our body is able to release a regular urine output. The blood pressure is affected because