The net pressure gradient that causes the fluid to filter out of the g...
Net Pressure Gradient in Glomeruli
Introduction
The glomeruli are the initial filtration units of the kidneys. They consist of a tuft of capillaries surrounded by Bowman's capsule. The net pressure gradient that causes the fluid to filter out of the glomeruli into the capsules is determined by several factors.
Filtration Pressure
The net pressure gradient that drives filtration is determined by the difference between the hydrostatic pressure in the glomerular capillaries (glomerular blood pressure) and the pressure in Bowman's capsule (capsular hydrostatic pressure). The filtration pressure is given by the following equation:
Filtration pressure = Glomerular blood pressure - Capsular hydrostatic pressure
Glomerular Blood Pressure
The glomerular blood pressure is determined by the following factors:
- Cardiac output
- Resistance in the afferent and efferent arterioles
- Blood volume
The normal glomerular blood pressure is around 60 mm Hg.
Capsular Hydrostatic Pressure
The capsular hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by the fluid in Bowman's capsule on the glomerular capillaries. It is determined by the following factors:
- The pressure in the Bowman's capsule
- The amount of fluid in Bowman's capsule
The normal capsular hydrostatic pressure is around 15 mm Hg.
Oncotic Pressure
The net pressure gradient is also influenced by the oncotic pressure in the glomerular capillaries. Oncotic pressure is the pressure exerted by the proteins in the blood. The oncotic pressure in the glomerular capillaries is around 30 mm Hg.
Net Pressure Gradient
The net pressure gradient that causes the fluid to filter out of the glomeruli into the capsules is:
Net pressure gradient = Filtration pressure - Oncotic pressure
Substituting the values for the normal pressures, we get:
Net pressure gradient = (60 - 15) - 30 = 15 mm Hg
Therefore, the correct answer is option C, which is 20 mm Hg.
The net pressure gradient that causes the fluid to filter out of the g...
Kidneys help in the formation of urine, from the blood flowing through glomerular capillaries. About 20% of plasma fluid filters out into the Bowmans capsule through a thin glomerular-capsular membrane due to a net or effective filtration of about 10 to 15 mm Hg. So, the nearest option is
C
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