Lab 14 The Urinary System BIO202L
Student Name:
Access Code (located on the lid of your lab kit): AC-FTCO54R
Pre-Lab Questions
1. What is the function of the ureter?
The ureters carry urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.
2. Compare and contrast the male and female urethra.
The male uretha is much longer than the female urethra measuring about 15-20 cm
long. In the males, the urethra carries urine as well as semen. In contrast, the female
urethra is only about 4cm long.
3. Describe the two layers of the kidneys.
The two layers of the kidneys are the cortex and the medulla. The cortex is the outer
region of the kidney. It contains about a million blood filtering nephrons. The inner layer
is the medulla. It contains 8-12 renal pyramids that empty into the calyx.
Experiment 1: Kidney Filtration
Table 1: Solutions Present in Each Container Before 60 Minutes Submersion
Solution Dialysis Tubing Beaker
Congo Red yes no
Yellow Food Coloring yes no
Table 2: Solutions Present in Each Container After 60 Minutes Submersion
Solution Dialysis Tubing Beaker
Congo Red yes no
Yellow Food Coloring no yes
, Lab 14 The Urinary System BIO202L
Post-Lab Questions
1. What specific part of the kidney does the dialysis tubing represent? What is this part’s
function?
The dialysis tubing is a representation of the filtration of the kidneys through the ureter.
2. What does the yellow food coloring represent at the end of the experiment? What does the
Congo Red represent?
The yellow food coloring represents the urine being filtered out by the nephrons. The red food
coloring is used to mimick the blood
3. Why is it important that the kidney filters the blood?
It is important that the kidneys filter thr blood in order to remove wastes and toxins. Doing this
prevents the buildup of wastes in the body so the body can maintain healthiness.
Experiment 2: Urinalysis
Table 3: Urine Test
Test Normal Abnormal
Acidic Urine (below 4.5) - Diabetes, starvation, dehydration,
respiratory acidosis.
pH 4.5 - 7.5
Alkaline Urine (above 7.5) - Kidney disease, kidney failure, urinary
tract infection, respiratory alkalosis.
Glucose None Glucose present (red or green color after test); diabetes mellitus.
Protein None Protein present (violet color after test); kidney disease.
Yeast present (bubbles form after test); yeast infection in urinary
Yeast None
tract.
Large amount of ketones present (sweet smell of urine); starvation,
Little or
Ketones prolonged vomiting, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and other metabolic
None
disorders.
Table 4: Simulated Urine pH Test
Simulated Urine Sample pH
A 8
B 4
C 8
Student Name:
Access Code (located on the lid of your lab kit): AC-FTCO54R
Pre-Lab Questions
1. What is the function of the ureter?
The ureters carry urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.
2. Compare and contrast the male and female urethra.
The male uretha is much longer than the female urethra measuring about 15-20 cm
long. In the males, the urethra carries urine as well as semen. In contrast, the female
urethra is only about 4cm long.
3. Describe the two layers of the kidneys.
The two layers of the kidneys are the cortex and the medulla. The cortex is the outer
region of the kidney. It contains about a million blood filtering nephrons. The inner layer
is the medulla. It contains 8-12 renal pyramids that empty into the calyx.
Experiment 1: Kidney Filtration
Table 1: Solutions Present in Each Container Before 60 Minutes Submersion
Solution Dialysis Tubing Beaker
Congo Red yes no
Yellow Food Coloring yes no
Table 2: Solutions Present in Each Container After 60 Minutes Submersion
Solution Dialysis Tubing Beaker
Congo Red yes no
Yellow Food Coloring no yes
, Lab 14 The Urinary System BIO202L
Post-Lab Questions
1. What specific part of the kidney does the dialysis tubing represent? What is this part’s
function?
The dialysis tubing is a representation of the filtration of the kidneys through the ureter.
2. What does the yellow food coloring represent at the end of the experiment? What does the
Congo Red represent?
The yellow food coloring represents the urine being filtered out by the nephrons. The red food
coloring is used to mimick the blood
3. Why is it important that the kidney filters the blood?
It is important that the kidneys filter thr blood in order to remove wastes and toxins. Doing this
prevents the buildup of wastes in the body so the body can maintain healthiness.
Experiment 2: Urinalysis
Table 3: Urine Test
Test Normal Abnormal
Acidic Urine (below 4.5) - Diabetes, starvation, dehydration,
respiratory acidosis.
pH 4.5 - 7.5
Alkaline Urine (above 7.5) - Kidney disease, kidney failure, urinary
tract infection, respiratory alkalosis.
Glucose None Glucose present (red or green color after test); diabetes mellitus.
Protein None Protein present (violet color after test); kidney disease.
Yeast present (bubbles form after test); yeast infection in urinary
Yeast None
tract.
Large amount of ketones present (sweet smell of urine); starvation,
Little or
Ketones prolonged vomiting, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and other metabolic
None
disorders.
Table 4: Simulated Urine pH Test
Simulated Urine Sample pH
A 8
B 4
C 8
