PhysioEx Lab Report
Exercise 9: Renal System Physiology
Activity 3: Renal Response to Altered Blood Pressure
Name: Daniela López
Date: 23 April 2024
Session ID: session-d20470fb-2e4b-6656-687a-e1651027414f
Pre-lab Quiz Results
You scored 100% by answering 4 out of 4 questions correctly.
1 If all other variables are kept constant, how does the afferent arteriole radius affect the rate
of glomerular filtration?
You correctly answered: An increased afferent arteriole radius will increase the rate of
glomerular filtration.
2 If all other variables are kept constant, how does the efferent arteriole radius affect the rate
of glomerular filtration?
You correctly answered: A decreased efferent arteriole radius will increase the rate of
glomerular filtration.
3 If all other variables are kept constant, how does blood pressure affect the rate of
glomerular filtration?
You correctly answered: Blood pressure directly affects glomerular filtration rate.
4 In the absence of other renal processes (including tubular reabsorption and secretion), more
glomerular filtration leads to a larger urine volume.
You correctly answered: true.
Experiment Results
Predict Question
1 Predict Question: What will happen to the glomerular capillary pressure rate and glomerular
filtration rate if both of these arteriole radii changes are implemented simultaneously with
the low blood pressure condition?
Your answer: Glomerular filtration rate and pressure will rise above baseline values.
Stop & Think Questions
1 If blood pressure were to drop (for example, as the result of blood loss), what changes in the
nephron would allow the kidney to maintain its normal glomerular filtration rate?
You correctly answered: afferent arteriole dilation and efferent arteriole constriction.
2 Comparing the glomerular filtration rate and glomerular capillary pressure with the baseline
values (from the first run), how effective was the increased afferent arteriole radius in
compensating for the low blood pressure?
You correctly answered: The afferent arteriole dilation returned the low glomerular capillary
pressure and filtration rate almost to baseline values.
3 Comparing the glomerular filtration rate and glomerular capillary pressure with the baseline
values (from the first run), how effective was the decreased efferent arteriole radius in
compensating for the low blood pressure?
You correctly answered: The efferent arteriole constriction improved the low glomerular
capillary pressure and filtration rate marginally.
Experiment Data
Afferent Efferent Beaker Glomerular Glom. Filt. Urine
Radius (mm) Radius (mm) Press. (mm Press. (mm Hg) Rate (ml/min) Volume (ml)
Hg)
0.10 0.30 70 44.44 0.00 0.00
0.10 0.30 70 44.44 0.00 0.00
0.60 0.30 70 55.94 135.71 260.75
0.50 0.35 70 51.24 77.41 231.12
0.55 0.35 70 53.40 104.15 239.97
Post-lab Quiz Results
You scored 100% by answering 4 out of 4 questions correctly.
1 If all other variables are kept constant, when blood pressure decreases, glomerular filtration
You correctly answered: decreases.
2 If the efferent arteriole radius decreases in response to a decrease in blood pressure, then
glomerular filtration
You correctly answered: remains approximately the same.
3 If all other variables are kept constant, when the efferent arteriole radius decreases,
glomerular filtration
You correctly answered: increases.
4 With blood pressure held at a constant value, which of the following combinations will raise
the glomerular filtration rate above baseline values?
You correctly answered: afferent arteriole dilation and efferent arteriole constriction.
Review Sheet Results
1 List the several mechanisms you have explored that change the glomerular filtration rate.
How does each mechanism specifically alter the glomerular filtration rate?
Your answer:
El mecanismo que mas afecta a la filtración glomerular es la presión arterial ya que si
esta aumenta la FG aumenta y así viceversa, al igual que la dilatación de la arteriola
aferente aumenta la filtración glomerular y si hay una constricción de la arteriola eferente
disminuyendo la filtración glomerular.
2 Describe and explain what happened to the glomerular capillary pressure and glomerular
filtration rate when both arteriole radii changes were implemented simultaneously with the
low blood pressure condition. How well did the results compare with your prediction?
Your answer:
La predicción estuvo correcta ya que los valores aumentaron más de lo normal.
3 How could you adjust the afferent or efferent radius to compensate for the effect of reduced
blood pressure on the glomerular filtration rate?
Your answer:
El radio de la arteriola aferente tendrá que aumentar mientras que el radio de la arteriola
eferente tendrá que disminuir.
4 Which arteriole radius adjustment was more effective at compensating for the effect of low
blood pressure on the glomerular filtration rate? Explain why you think this difference
occurs.
Your answer:
La arteriola aferente, ya que esta regula el flujo sanguíneo y por tanto regula más
directamente la tasa de filtración glomerular que la arteriola eferente.
5 In the body, how does a nephron maintain a near-constant glomerular filtration rate despite
a constantly fluctuating blood pressure?
Your answer:
Ya que cuenta con tres capas importantes que ayuda a que la tasa de filtración
glomerular sea casi constante, estas tres capas son:
1. endotelio capilar que mantiene estable el flujo y la presión sanguínea
2. membrana basal glomerular
3.capa con podocitos que son contráctiles.
