Renal

[Maruko]

Hi,

I am a little confused about the following concepts: (i tried to read more about the kidney online but didn't find it helpful!)

1) Increased plasma protein concentration will reduce the amount of filtrate that enters the Bowman's capsule from the glomerular capillaries.

2) Hydrostatic pressure is initiated by the heart, whereas osmotic pressure by the tissue. So, if hydrostatic pressure is higher than osmotic pressure, does it mean that more water enter the renal tubule?

3) I don't understand how osmotic pressure is dependent on the protein concentration.

Thanks in advance!

Maruko

[Darby]

There are a couple of possible answers here. My guess:

The osmolarity of blood is fairly constant, adjusted by serum albumin, which is a protein. The more albumin, the more total protein, which adds to the non-filterable particles in the blood. The proteins also hold onto more water, so fewer particles and less water goes through, meaning less total filtrate.

There may be other processes at work here that also contribute...