APHY 102 FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
Trace the pathway of urine from the nephron to the body's exterior. -
ANSWERSNephron, glomerulus, bowman's capsule, proximal convoluted tubule, loop
of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, collecting duct, minor calyx, major calyx, renal pelvis,
ureter, bladder, urethra, urethral orifice
What parts make up the nephron? - ANSWERSRenal corpuscle
Renal tubule
Glomerulus
Bowman's capsule
Efferent arteriole
loop of henle
What are aquaporins? - ANSWERSChannel proteins which facilitate water diffusion
through the membrane
What are podocytes? - ANSWERScells that surround the glomerular capillaries that
have foot processes that create a layer of filtration
What are pedicels? - ANSWERSthousands of footlike processes extending from each
podocyte that wrap around glomerular capillaries.
What is hemodialysis? - ANSWERSA technique in which an artificial kidney machine
removes waste products from the blood
ADH hormone - ANSWERSworks on kidney to keep it from releasing excessive water
volume
Aldosterone - ANSWERS"salt-retaining hormone" which promotes the retention of Na+
by the kidneys. na+ retention promotes water retention, which promotes a higher blood
volume and pressure
ANH hormone is produced by the...
and it does what.... - ANSWERSheart
inhibits renin and aldosterone
When blood volume is too high the heart secretes artial natriuretic horomone)
What is autoregulation? - ANSWERSthe ability of tissues to regulate their own blood
supply
,Compare and contrast the renal cortex in the renal medulla. - ANSWERSThe renal
cortex contains most of the nephrons. The renal medulla contains some juxtamedullary
nephrons, but mostly the structures of the kidney (papilla, pelvis, etc.).
What is the function of the glomerulus? - ANSWERSfiltration
How do the different buffer systems work? - ANSWERSbinds to or releases hydrogen
ions. What are the important buffer systems in the body? carbonic acid/bicarbonate,
protein, phosphate
Which substances get reabsorbed within the: PCT, DLOH, ALOP, DCT? - ANSWERS
Which substances get secreted into: PCT, DLOH, ALOP, DCT? - ANSWERS
How can GFR be altered (increased/decreased)? - ANSWERSChanging afferent
arteriole resistance, efferent arteriole pressure, or the size of the filtration surface, or by
renal autoregulation.
How is active transport used in the renal tubule? - ANSWERSis used within
reabsorption to bring back all good and necessary nutrients into the blood stream if they
had previously diffused passively into the tubular network. Reabsorption materials
include: glucose, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, bicarbonate ions and some water.
This reabsorption occurs within the proximal and distal convoluted tubules and within
the loop of Henle.
Secretion uses active transport to deliberately place some salts and urea into the
proximal and distal convoluted tubules.
Describe the histology of the glomerular capsule. - ANSWERSCapsule - simple
squamous epithelium
Glomerulus - has fenestrae; visceral layer: has podocytes which have primary
processes, each of which possesses many secondary processes (pedicels), arranged in
an orderly fashion.
What substances should be found in urine? Which should not? - ANSWERSUrea,
water, CO2, uric acid, creatinine, sodium chloride, and ammonia.
Glucose should not
What terms are used to describe an increase or decrease in urine output? -
ANSWERSOliguria - decreased urine output.
Polyuria - increased urine output.
Trace the pathway of filtrate through the nephron. - ANSWERSFluid is filtered through
glomerulus and bowman's capsule to proximal convoluted tubule
At the proximal convoluted tubule, na+, water, glucose, and amino acids are removed
, fluid goes to the descending limb of loop of henle
Water leaves the filtrate and urea plus some solutes enter
Fluid goes to the ascending limb of loop of henle
Na+ is actively transported out followed by chloride in the ascending limb of loop of
henle
Fluid goes to the distal convoluted tubule
Na+, chloride leave the filtrate and water, k+ and h+ are added in at the distal
convoluted tubule
Filtrate goes to the collecting ducts
NaCI and urea leave at the collecting ducts
Urea diffuses back to the descending limb of loop of henle to re enter
in the end 99% of filtrate is reabsorbed and 1% leaves as urine
How does one become "potty trained"? - ANSWERS
Recognize the structures of the urinary system and their locations - ANSWERSKidneys
- located retroperitoneally
Ureters - superior to bladder, inferior to kidneys
Bladder - inferior to kidneys and ureters, superior to urethra
Urethra - inferior to kidneys, ureters, and bladder.
Colon - ANSWERSThe large intestine where solid waste is dried and compacted in
preparation for elimination.
Digestive System - ANSWERSThe system of organs and structures responsible for the
digestion, absorption, and elimination of food. The digestive system includes Teeth,
Mouth, Esophagus, Stomach, Small, Intestine, Large Intestine. It relies on support from
other organs like the Liver, Gall Bladder, and Pancreas.
Digestion - ANSWERSThe process of breaking down food into nutrients that can be
used by cells.
Liver - ANSWERSProduces Bile to help break down fats in the small intestines
Gall Bladder - ANSWERSStores extra Bile produced by the liver
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
Trace the pathway of urine from the nephron to the body's exterior. -
ANSWERSNephron, glomerulus, bowman's capsule, proximal convoluted tubule, loop
of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, collecting duct, minor calyx, major calyx, renal pelvis,
ureter, bladder, urethra, urethral orifice
What parts make up the nephron? - ANSWERSRenal corpuscle
Renal tubule
Glomerulus
Bowman's capsule
Efferent arteriole
loop of henle
What are aquaporins? - ANSWERSChannel proteins which facilitate water diffusion
through the membrane
What are podocytes? - ANSWERScells that surround the glomerular capillaries that
have foot processes that create a layer of filtration
What are pedicels? - ANSWERSthousands of footlike processes extending from each
podocyte that wrap around glomerular capillaries.
What is hemodialysis? - ANSWERSA technique in which an artificial kidney machine
removes waste products from the blood
ADH hormone - ANSWERSworks on kidney to keep it from releasing excessive water
volume
Aldosterone - ANSWERS"salt-retaining hormone" which promotes the retention of Na+
by the kidneys. na+ retention promotes water retention, which promotes a higher blood
volume and pressure
ANH hormone is produced by the...
and it does what.... - ANSWERSheart
inhibits renin and aldosterone
When blood volume is too high the heart secretes artial natriuretic horomone)
What is autoregulation? - ANSWERSthe ability of tissues to regulate their own blood
supply
,Compare and contrast the renal cortex in the renal medulla. - ANSWERSThe renal
cortex contains most of the nephrons. The renal medulla contains some juxtamedullary
nephrons, but mostly the structures of the kidney (papilla, pelvis, etc.).
What is the function of the glomerulus? - ANSWERSfiltration
How do the different buffer systems work? - ANSWERSbinds to or releases hydrogen
ions. What are the important buffer systems in the body? carbonic acid/bicarbonate,
protein, phosphate
Which substances get reabsorbed within the: PCT, DLOH, ALOP, DCT? - ANSWERS
Which substances get secreted into: PCT, DLOH, ALOP, DCT? - ANSWERS
How can GFR be altered (increased/decreased)? - ANSWERSChanging afferent
arteriole resistance, efferent arteriole pressure, or the size of the filtration surface, or by
renal autoregulation.
How is active transport used in the renal tubule? - ANSWERSis used within
reabsorption to bring back all good and necessary nutrients into the blood stream if they
had previously diffused passively into the tubular network. Reabsorption materials
include: glucose, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, bicarbonate ions and some water.
This reabsorption occurs within the proximal and distal convoluted tubules and within
the loop of Henle.
Secretion uses active transport to deliberately place some salts and urea into the
proximal and distal convoluted tubules.
Describe the histology of the glomerular capsule. - ANSWERSCapsule - simple
squamous epithelium
Glomerulus - has fenestrae; visceral layer: has podocytes which have primary
processes, each of which possesses many secondary processes (pedicels), arranged in
an orderly fashion.
What substances should be found in urine? Which should not? - ANSWERSUrea,
water, CO2, uric acid, creatinine, sodium chloride, and ammonia.
Glucose should not
What terms are used to describe an increase or decrease in urine output? -
ANSWERSOliguria - decreased urine output.
Polyuria - increased urine output.
Trace the pathway of filtrate through the nephron. - ANSWERSFluid is filtered through
glomerulus and bowman's capsule to proximal convoluted tubule
At the proximal convoluted tubule, na+, water, glucose, and amino acids are removed
, fluid goes to the descending limb of loop of henle
Water leaves the filtrate and urea plus some solutes enter
Fluid goes to the ascending limb of loop of henle
Na+ is actively transported out followed by chloride in the ascending limb of loop of
henle
Fluid goes to the distal convoluted tubule
Na+, chloride leave the filtrate and water, k+ and h+ are added in at the distal
convoluted tubule
Filtrate goes to the collecting ducts
NaCI and urea leave at the collecting ducts
Urea diffuses back to the descending limb of loop of henle to re enter
in the end 99% of filtrate is reabsorbed and 1% leaves as urine
How does one become "potty trained"? - ANSWERS
Recognize the structures of the urinary system and their locations - ANSWERSKidneys
- located retroperitoneally
Ureters - superior to bladder, inferior to kidneys
Bladder - inferior to kidneys and ureters, superior to urethra
Urethra - inferior to kidneys, ureters, and bladder.
Colon - ANSWERSThe large intestine where solid waste is dried and compacted in
preparation for elimination.
Digestive System - ANSWERSThe system of organs and structures responsible for the
digestion, absorption, and elimination of food. The digestive system includes Teeth,
Mouth, Esophagus, Stomach, Small, Intestine, Large Intestine. It relies on support from
other organs like the Liver, Gall Bladder, and Pancreas.
Digestion - ANSWERSThe process of breaking down food into nutrients that can be
used by cells.
Liver - ANSWERSProduces Bile to help break down fats in the small intestines
Gall Bladder - ANSWERSStores extra Bile produced by the liver
