Exam #4: Potassium Regulation Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Exam #4: Potassium Regulation Deck (20)
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1
Q

Define secretion in terms of net movement of a solute.

A

Renal secretion= movement of solute from blood to the lumen of the nephron

2
Q

Explain why all organic acids competitively inhibit secretion of other organic acids.

A

Organic acids use the same carrier mediated proteins for transport; the presence of one organic acid inhibits the secretion of the others

3
Q

Why do organic bases competitively inhibit secretion of all other organic bases.

A

Organic bases use the same carrier mediated proteins for transport; the presence of one organic base inhibits the secretion of the others

4
Q

Explain the effect of low urine pH on the net secretion.

A

Low urine pH decreases net secretion

5
Q

Explain the effect of low urine pH on the net excretion.

A

Low urine pH decreases net excretion

6
Q

Explain the effect of low urine pH on plasma concentration of organic acids.

A
  • Low urine pH= high H+ concentration (e.g. acidosis)
  • Organic acids e.g. ASA, and anions & bind free H+ in acidic urine
  • Organic acids bound to H+ are more permeable
  • These bound acids LEAK BACK INTO THE CIRCULATION

Thus, low urine pH increases plasma concentration of organic acids

7
Q

Explain why alkalinizing the urine (by ingesting bicarbonate) would be helpful in treating an aspirin overdose.

A
  • Aspirin is an organic acid i.e. organic anion
  • Low urine pH causes association of ASA w/ H+, making ASA-H more permeable–>reabsorption into the blood

Conversely, high urine pH (alkaline) causes dissociation of ASA & H, making ASA more likely to stay in the urine and be excreted

8
Q

Explain why an excretion rate that exceeds the filtration rate for a compound means that the compound was secreted.

A

Excretion= filtration + secretion

Thus, if a compound’s excretion rate is greater than its filtration rate alone, then it must have also been secreted

9
Q

Explain why the clearance of PAH is a measure of the effective renal plasma flow (ERPF).

A
  • PAH is removed from renal circulation (via filtration & secretion) with nearly 0 PAH appearing in the renal vein.
  • Clearance= volume/time from which all of substance has been removed
  • Thus, clearance of PAH= volume of plasma that entered the kidney per unit time i.e. effective renal plasma flow, or ERPF
10
Q

How do you calculate ERPF when given the plasma and urinary concentrations of PAH and the rate of urine production? Write the necessary equations.

A

N/A

11
Q

How do you calculate the filtration fraction when given GFR and ERPF?

A

This is the fraction of plasma delivered to the kidneys that is filtered

FF= GFR/ERPF

12
Q

Explain why the nephron segments upstream of the distal tubule do not contribute to the regulation of potassium balance.

A
  • The majority of K+ is reabsorbed in the proximal tubule regardless of ECF K+ concentration
  • Similarly, what hasn’t been reabsorbed in the proximal tubule is reabsorbed in the thick ascending limb–Loop of Henle (~90% of filtered load)
  • Distal tubule is where changes in reabsorption & secretion occur based on ECF K+
13
Q

Describe the effect of hyperkalemia on aldosterone secretion.

A

High plasma K+ increases secretion of Aldosterone from the adrenal cortex.

14
Q

Describe the effect of increased plasma potassium on the Na+/K+ATPase pump on the basolateral membrane of the principal cells in the late distal tubule (second half of distal tubule) and collecting duct/tubule.

A
  • High plasma K+ increases the Na+/K+ ATPase on the basolateral surface of the principal cells in the late distal tubule and collecting duct
  • Increasing the Na+/K+ ATPase increases K+ into the cell from the blood
  • K+ flows down its electrochemical gradient and is secreted into the lumen
15
Q

What is the probable effect of aldosterone on the Na+/K+ ATPase pump?

A

Aldosterone increases the effect of the Na+/K+ ATPase, causing increased secretion of K+

16
Q

What effects does aldosterone have on the collecting ducts?

A

Aldosterone increases the number of epithelial sodium channels (ENaCs) in the collecting ducts, which increases the reabsorption of Na+ & secretion of K+

17
Q

Describe the effect of increased aldosterone and increased potassium on the reabsorption or secretion of potassium in the late distal tubule (second half of distal tubule) and the collecting duct.

A
  • Hyperkalemia & increased aldosterone increase the Na+/K+ ATPase on the basolateral side of the principal cells in the late distal tubule & collecting duct.
  • K+ concentration in the cell is elevated
  • K+ flows down its concentration and into the tubular lumen
  • K+ is secreted
18
Q

Explain why diuretics which inhibit sodium and water reabsorption can cause the depletion of body potassium.

A

Diuretics increase excretion of K+

  • Loop block the Na+/2Cl-/K+ pumps in the thick ascending limb of the loop of henle
  • Thiazide diuretics inhibit NaCl reabsorption in the early distal tubule, which increases the rate of K+ secretion
19
Q

State the effect of alkalosis on potassium.

A

Like hyperkalemia & aldosterone, metabolic alkalosis stimulates the Na+/K+ ATPase on the basolateral membrane of the principal cells in the late distal tubule/ collecting ducts.
–> HYPOKALEMIA

20
Q

Does alkalosis cause hypokalemia or hyperkalemia?

A

Hypokalemia

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