Question

1. In your own words, explain how glomerulus regulates what it filters into the capsular space using the 5 terms below.
   1. Podocytes, Pedicles, Filtration Slits, Fenestrated capillary pores, Lamina densa (or basement membrane)

Answer 1

Filtration involves the transfer of soluble components, such as water and waste, from the blood into the glomerulus. During filtration, blood enters the afferent arteriole and flows into the glomerulus where filterable blood components, such as water and nitrogenous waste, will move towards the inside of the glomerulus and the remaining components exit via the efferent arteriole   The physical characteristics of the glomerular capillary wall determine what is filtered and how much is filtered into the glomerular capsule. The capillary wall are made up of three layers, Endothelium, Basement membrane and Epithelium.   The endothelium consists of Fenestrated capillary which have a pores that allow large molecules to go through, the fenestrated capillary are the gaps next to the basement membrane. Because the glomerulus are fenestrated they can filter high volume of fluids      Epithelium consists of podocytes,these podocytes are found along the lining in the Bowman's capsules, they have long process known as foot process or pedicles, these foot process  wrap around the capillaries and leave slits between them, blood is filtered through these slits known as filtration slits. Podocytes are involved in regulation of glomerular filteration rate, when podocytes contract, they cause closure of filtration slits. this decreases the GFR . T he middle layer capillary wall is made up of basement membrane,which is fused to the endothelial layer, its main function is to prevent plasma proteins from being filtered out of the bloodstream. Podocyte secrete and maintain the basement membrane