1. Tubular Reabsorption
This graphic depicts the formation of a dilute urine, mostly through obligatory
reabsorption of water.
Compare this process to
the one depicted on the
next slide where urine is
concentrated by the action
of ADH on the DCT and
collecting ducts of
juxtamedullary nephrons.

2. Tubular Reabsorption
Urine can be up to 4 times more concentrated than blood plasma.

3. 1 3 4 1 3 1 1 (b) Recycling of salts and urea in the vasa recta
(a) Reabsorption of Na+CI– and water in a long-loop juxtamedullary nephron
Glomerular (Bowman’s) capsule
Afferent
arteriole
Efferent
Glomerulus
Distal convoluted tubule
Proximal
convoluted
tubule
Symporters in thick
ascending limb cause
buildup of Na+ and Cl–
Interstitial fluid
in renal medulla
300
1200
1000
800
Osmotic
gradient
600
400 H 2 O
200
980
780
580
380
100
Loop of Henle
Concentrated urine
320
H2O
Urea
Papillary
duct
Urea recycling
causes buildup
of urea in the
renal medulla
Collecting
Countercurrent flow
through loop of Henle
establishes an osmotic
Principal cells in
collecting duct
reabsorb more
water when ADH
is present
500
700
900
1100
Na+CI–
Blood flow
Flow of tubular fluid
Presense of Na+-K+-2CI–
symporters
Interstitial
fluid in
renal cortex
Juxtamedullary nephron
and its blood supply
together
Vasa
recta
Loop of
Henle 1 3 4
(b) Recycling of salts and urea in the vasa recta
(a) Reabsorption of Na+CI– and water in a long-loop juxtamedullary nephron
Glomerular (Bowman’s) capsule
Afferent
arteriole
Efferent
Glomerulus
Distal convoluted tubule
Proximal
convoluted
tubule
Symporters in thick
ascending limb cause
buildup of Na+ and Cl–
Interstitial fluid
in renal medulla
300
1200
1000
800
Osmotic
gradient
600
400 H 2 O
200
980
780
580
380
100
Loop of Henle
Concentrated urine
320
H2O
Urea
Papillary
duct
Collecting
Countercurrent flow
through loop of Henle
establishes an osmotic
Principal cells in
collecting duct
reabsorb more
water when ADH
is present
500
700
900
1100
Na+CI–
Blood flow
Flow of tubular fluid
Presense of Na+-K+-2CI–
symporters
Interstitial
fluid in
renal cortex
Juxtamedullary nephron
and its blood supply
together
Vasa
recta
Loop of
Henle 1 3
(b) Recycling of salts and urea in the vasa recta
(a) Reabsorption of Na+CI– and water in a long-loop juxtamedullary nephron
Glomerular (Bowman’s) capsule
Afferent
arteriole
Efferent
Glomerulus
Distal convoluted tubule
Proximal
convoluted
tubule
Symporters in thick
ascending limb cause
buildup of Na+ and Cl–
Interstitial fluid
in renal medulla
300
1200
1000
800
Osmotic
gradient
600
400 H 2 O
200
980
780
580
380
100
Loop of Henle
Concentrated urine
320
H2O
Urea
Papillary
duct
Collecting
Countercurrent flow
through loop of Henle
establishes an osmotic
500
700
900
1100
Na+CI–
Blood flow
Flow of tubular fluid
Presense of Na+-K+-2CI–
symporters
Interstitial
fluid in
renal cortex
Juxtamedullary nephron
and its blood supply
together
Vasa
recta
Loop of
Henle 1
(b) Recycling of salts and urea in the vasa recta
(a) Reabsorption of Na+CI– and water in a long-loop juxtamedullary nephron
Glomerular (Bowman’s) capsule
Afferent
arteriole
Efferent
Glomerulus
Distal convoluted tubule
Proximal
convoluted
tubule
Symporters in thick
ascending limb cause
buildup of Na+ and Cl–
Interstitial fluid
in renal medulla
300
1200
1000
800
Osmotic
gradient
600
400 H 2 O
200
980
780
580
380
100
Loop of Henle
Concentrated urine
320
H2O
Urea
Papillary
duct
Collecting
500
700
900
1100
Na+CI–
Blood flow
Flow of tubular fluid
Presense of Na+-K+-2CI–
symporters
Interstitial
fluid in
renal cortex
Juxtamedullary nephron
and its blood supply
together
Vasa
recta
Loop of
Henle 1

4. Tubular Reabsorption (Interactions Animation)
Water Homeostasis
You must be connected to the internet to run this animation

5. Tubular Reabsorption
If higher than normal amounts of a substance are present in the filtrate, then the renal threshold for reabsorption of that substance may be surpassed.
When that happens, the substance cannot be reabsorbed fast enough, and it will be excreted in the urine.
For example, the renal [reabsorption] threshold of glucose is mg/dl. When this level is exceeded (as in diabetes mellitus), the glucose is said to “spill” into the urine (meaning a substance which is not normally present in urine begins to appear).
Spill: Explain that it’s already in the urine-to-be, it just can’t get reabsorbed

6. Tubular Secretion
Tubular secretion is the movement of substances from the capillaries which surround the nephron into the filtrate.
It occurs at a site other than the filtration membrane (in the proximal convoluted tubule, distal convoluted tubule and collecting ducts) by active transport.
The process of tubular secretion controls pH.
Hydrogen and ammonium ions are secreted to decrease the acidity in the body, and bicarbonate is conserved.
Secreted substances include H+, K+, NH4+, and some drugs; the amount often depends on body needs.

7. Tubular Secretion
Maintaining the body’s proper pH requires cooperation mainly between the lungs and the kidneys.
The lungs eliminate CO2.
Provides a rapid response (minutes)
The kidneys eliminate H+ and NH4+ ions and conserve bicarbonate.
This is a slower response (hours-days).
The alimentary canal (digestive), and integumentary system (skin) provide minor contributions.

8. Hormones and Homeostasis
Five hormones affect the extent of Na+, Cl–, Ca2+, and water reabsorption as well as K+ secretion by the renal tubules. These hormones, all of which are key to maintaining homeostasis of not only renal blood flow and B.P., but systemic blood flow and B.P., are:
angiotensin II
antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
aldosterone
atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)
parathyroid hormone (PTH)

9. Hormones and Homeostasis
We have already mentioned the effect of ANP on GFR.
ADH is released by the posterior pituitary in response to low blood flow in this part of the brain.
ADH affects facultative water reabsorption by increasing the water permeability of principal cells in the last part of the distal convoluted tubule and throughout the collecting duct.
In the absence of ADH, the apical
membranes of principal cells
are almost impermeable to water.

10. Hormones and Homeostasis
Secretion of the hormones angiotensin II and aldosterone are tied to one another: When blood volume and blood pressure decrease or the sympathetic NS is stimulated, the walls of the
afferent arterioles
are stretched
less, and the
cells of the JGA
secrete renin.

11. Hormones and Homeostasis
Renin clips off a 10-amino-acid peptide called angiotensin I from angiotensinogen, which is synthesized by hepatocytes. By clipping off two more amino acids, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II, which is the active form of the hormone. Angiotensin II has 3 main effects:
Vasoconstriction decreases GFR.
It increases blood volume by increasing reabsorption of water and electrolytes in the PCT.
It stimulates the adrenal cortex to release aldosterone.

12. Hormones and Homeostasis
Aldosterone stimulates the principal cells in the collecting ducts to reabsorb more Na+ and Cl– and secrete more K+. The osmotic consequence of reabsorbing more Na+ and Cl– is that more
water is reabsorbed,
which increases blood
volume and blood
pressure.

13. Summary of Renal Function
The events of filtration, absorption, and secretion are summarized in this graphic.

14. Urine
Increases in GFR usually result in an increase in urine production. However, as we have seen, the mechanisms which control electrolyte and
water reabsorption in the
various parts of the nephron
and collecting ducts are subject
to many complex controls.
Normal urine output (UOP)
is 1-2 L/d.

15. Urine
A urinalysis analyzes the physical, chemical and microscopic properties of urine.
Water accounts for 95% of total urine volume.
The solutes normally present in urine are filtered and secreted substances that are not reabsorbed.
If disease alters metabolism or kidney function, traces of substances normally not present or normal constituents in abnormal amounts may appear (bacteria, albumin protein, glucose, white blood cells, red blood cells to name a few).

16. Urine
In addition to a urinalysis, two blood tests are commonly done clinically to assess the adequacy of renal function.
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) measures nitrogen wastes in blood from catabolism and deamination of amino acids.
Creatinine levels appear in the blood as a result of catabolism of creatine phosphate in skeletal muscle.
The serum creatinine test measures the amount of creatinine in the blood, which increases in states of renal dysfunction.

17. End of Chapter 26
Copyright 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction or translation of this work beyond that permitted in section 117 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act without express permission of the copyright owner is unlawful. Request for further information should be addressed to the Permission Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. The purchaser may make back-up copies for his/her own use only and not for distribution or resale. The Publisher assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or damages caused by the use of these programs or from the use of the information herein.