Here’s my assessment.
The how
The efferent arteriole has a smaller diameter than the afferent arteriole.
This causes a blood back-up in the glomerular capillaries.
Therefore fluid and solute are forced out from the blood and into the glomerular capsule.
The what
The glomerular blood hydrostatic pressure (##GBHP##) of 55 mmHg favours filtration.
However the solute concentration in the glomerular capillaries is greater than that on the other side of the glomerular membrane.
Thus there is a blood colloid osmotic pressure (##BCOP##) of 30 mmHg that opposes filtration.
The Bowman’s capsular hydrostatic pressure (##CHP##) of 15 mmHg in the Bowman’s capsule also opposes filtration.
The net filtration pressure (##NFP##) is
##NFP = GBHP- BCOP – CHP = 55 mmHg – 30 mmHg – 15 mmHg = 10 mmHg##
The why
The glomerular filtration rate (##GFR##) is directly proportional to the ##NFP##.
The ##GBHP## must be precisely regulated because a drop of less than 20 % will stop filtration completely.
If that happens many substances discharged in the urine will be resorbed.
The maintenance of sodium balance and control of body fluid volume will be severely compromised.
How is a high blood pressure built up in a glomerulus? Why is this high blood pressure needed?
March 18th, 2019 admin