AP Biology : Excretory System

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Understanding Other Excretory Anatomy

The urinary tract consists of which of the following?

Possible Answers:

One bladder, two kidneys, one ureter, two urethras

One bladder, two kidneys, two ureters, one urethra

Two bladders, two kidneys, two ureters, one urethra

Two bladders, two kidneys, one ureter, one urethra

Cannot be determined without knowing the subject's sex

Correct answer:

One bladder, two kidneys, two ureters, one urethra

Explanation:

Blood is filtered from the renal artery into the kidneys, where it is processed into urine. Each of the two kidneys is connected to the bladder via a ureter. The bladder has only one exit, the urethra, which carries the urine out of the body.

In summary, there are two kidneys, two ureters, one bladder, and one urethra.

Example Question #2 : Understanding Other Excretory Anatomy

What section of the nephron is primarily responsible for concentrating the urine?

Possible Answers:

Distal convoluted tubule

Proximal convoluted tubule

Glomerulus

Loop of Henle

Correct answer:

Loop of Henle

Explanation:

The filtrate is processed as it moves throughout the nephron prior to entering the ureters to be expelled. The glomerulus is a capillary bed that deposits filtrate from the blood into the nephron. The proximal tubule does not alter the osmolarity of the primary filtrate. The loop of Henle then concentrates the urine, only to have the concentration lowered again in the distal convoluted tubule.

Example Question #3 : Understanding Other Excretory Anatomy

Which product, secreted by the kidney, helps regulate blood pressure?

Possible Answers:

Cortisol

Antidiuretic hormone

Aldosterone

Renin

Correct answer:

Renin

Explanation:

The kidneys are able to help regulate blood pressure by releasing the hormone renin. Renin initiates a cascade that ends with the adrenal cortex releasing aldosterone. Aldosterone increases the reabsorption of sodium ions in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct. The increase in surrounding ion concentration resulting from the reabsorption pulls water out of the nephron via osmosis, concentrating the urine and promoting water retention.

Example Question #3 : Understanding Other Excretory Anatomy

Which term describes a one-way valve composed of smooth muscle that functions in elimination?

Possible Answers:

Vilus

Cecum

Plica

Sphincter

Varix

Correct answer:

Sphincter

Explanation:

A sphincter is a circular band of mucle that, when constricted, closes an orifice. For example, the pyloric sphincter prevents stomach contents from entering the small intestine before it has been properly digested.

A varix is a twisted, dilated vein, as in varicose vein. Plica refers to one of the folds of the intestinal mucosa. The cecum is a blind pouch at the end of the ascending colon. At its end is the appendix. A vilus is the singular term for "villi," and refers to the minute projections on the intestinal mucosa that function in the absorption of nutrients. 

Example Question #4 : Understanding Other Excretory Anatomy

Jellyfish possess a digestive sac with a single opening through which food is injested and wastes are ejected. What term describes this organ?

Possible Answers:

Gizzard

Food vacuole

Gastrovascular cavity

Crop

Tubular digestive tract

Correct answer:

Gastrovascular cavity

Explanation:

Jellyfish possess a gastrovascular cavity, which serves as both mouth and anus. Food is captured and enters the gastrovascular cavity, where enzymes break it down and cells absorb the nutrients. The undigested remains leave through the same opening by which they entered.

A food vacule is a temporary stomach found in sponges. A crop is a storage organ that earthworms use to collect food. The gizzard receives food from the crop and, through the process of contraction, grinds the food into small particles. The crop and gizzard are parts of what is termed a "tubular digestive tract," which consists of a series of regions that process the food.

Example Question #4 : Understanding Other Excretory Anatomy

What is the correct order through the excretory system from start to end?

Possible Answers:

Glomerulus, loop of Henle, Bowman's capsule, ureter

Glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, loop of Henle, ureter

Loop of Henle, glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, ureter

Bowman's capsule, glomerulus, loop of Henle, ureter

Loop of Henle, ureter, glomerulus, Bowman's capsule 

Correct answer:

Glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, loop of Henle, ureter

Explanation:

Glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, loop of Henle, ureter is the correct order. Blood is filtered from the glomerulus and becomes the filtrate as it enters the Bowman's capsule. The filtrate then passes through the loop of Henle of the nephron and exits the kidney, entering the ureter as urine where it is collected in the urinary bladder.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Other Excretory Anatomy

Which of the following statements is false concerning the liver?

Possible Answers:

Liver cells are called hepatocytes

The gallbladder is found underneath the liver

The liver plays an important role in the breakdown of alcohol and other toxic metabolites

The liver is found on the left side of the abdomen

Correct answer:

The liver is found on the left side of the abdomen

Explanation:

The liver is found on the right side of the body in the abdomen. Remember the liver is on the right side of the abdominal cavity. The liver cells (hepatocytes) function to detoxify products such as alcohols and other drugs.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Nephron Physiology And Ion Reabsorption

What is the main function of the renal corpuscle?

Possible Answers:

Concentrating the filtrate

Reabsorption

Secretion

Filtration

Correct answer:

Filtration

Explanation:

The renal corpuscle is comprised of the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule, and is responsible for creating the primary filtrate that will enter the tubules of the nephron. This is accomplished via filtration. The proximal convoluted tubule is primarily responsible for reabsorption and secretion, and the loop of Henle is the site where filtrate is concentrated.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Nephron Physiology And Ion Reabsorption

Which of the following statements regarding nephron activity and environment is false?

Possible Answers:

Filtrate has a higher ion concentration than blood when traveling down the thin descending limb

The inner renal medulla is hypertonic

The excretion process of urine does not require energy

The renal cortex is hypotonic

Correct answer:

The excretion process of urine does not require energy

Explanation:

ATP is needed to help power the excretion of urine through the nephron. The thick ascending limb, for example, is thicker because it contains more mitochondria than other portions of the loop of Henle. The changing environment of the nephron is a product of the continual reabsorbtion of water and ions throughout the excretion process.

The renal medulla contains the loops of Henle and collecting ducts. As filtrate travels toward the interior of the kidney, the increased ion concentration (hypertonic environment) aids in the reabsorption of water. This ion gradient is established by ion flow from the concentrated filtrate in the descending limb toward less concentrated blood and interstitial fluids.

Example Question #2 : Excretory Physiology

Which of following is FALSE regarding ion reabsorption in the nephron?

Possible Answers:

Sodium is reabsorbed through both passive and active transport at different times within the nephron

Sodium is actively reabsorbed in the thin ascending limb

Sodium and potassium can be co-transported or pumped in opposite directions

Sodium is actively pumped by the sodium-potassium-chloride co-transporter in the thick ascending limb

Correct answer:

Sodium is actively reabsorbed in the thin ascending limb

Explanation:

When the filtrate enters the bottom of the loop of Henle, it is at its highest concentration. As the filtrate travels up the thin ascending limb, sodium is passively reabsorbed as it flows down its concentration gradient to exit into the less concentrated interstitium.

Sodium is then actively pumped by the sodium-potassium-chloride co-transporter in the thick ascending limb, which transports all three ions out of the filtrate into the interstitial fluid (reabsorption). Later, in the collecting duct, a sodium/potassium transporter is used to further reabsorb sodium, while excreting potassium into the urine.

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