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Ch. 24 The Urinary System
Amerman - Human Anatomy & Physiology 2nd Edition
Amerman2nd EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136873822Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksAmerman 2nd EditionCh. 24 The Urinary SystemProblem 12
Chapter 24, Problem 12

Dilute urine is produced when decreased levels of______ are secreted.
a. Aldosterone
b. Atrial natriuretic peptide
c. ADH
d. None of the above

Verified step by step guidance
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Step 1: Understand the role of each hormone listed in the options. Aldosterone regulates sodium and water reabsorption in the kidneys, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) promotes sodium and water excretion, and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) promotes water reabsorption in the kidneys.
Step 2: Recall the physiological mechanism of urine concentration. Concentrated urine is produced when water is reabsorbed in the kidneys, which is primarily influenced by ADH. Conversely, dilute urine is produced when water reabsorption is reduced.
Step 3: Analyze the effect of decreased levels of each hormone. Decreased aldosterone would reduce sodium reabsorption, but this does not directly lead to dilute urine. Decreased ANP would reduce sodium excretion, which also does not directly cause dilute urine. Decreased ADH, however, reduces water reabsorption, leading to the production of dilute urine.
Step 4: Eliminate incorrect options based on the analysis. Since decreased ADH directly leads to dilute urine, it is the correct answer. The other hormones do not have a direct role in producing dilute urine.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is 'c. ADH' because decreased levels of ADH reduce water reabsorption in the kidneys, resulting in the production of dilute urine.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Aldosterone

Aldosterone is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands that plays a crucial role in regulating sodium and potassium levels in the body. It promotes sodium reabsorption in the kidneys, which leads to water retention and increased blood volume. When aldosterone levels are low, less sodium is reabsorbed, resulting in dilute urine as more water is excreted.
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Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also known as vasopressin, is produced in the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary gland. It regulates water balance in the body by promoting water reabsorption in the kidneys. Low levels of ADH lead to decreased water reabsorption, resulting in dilute urine as more water is lost in urine.
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Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a hormone secreted by the heart's atria in response to increased blood volume and pressure. It promotes natriuresis, the excretion of sodium through urine, which leads to increased urine output and decreased blood volume. While ANP contributes to urine dilution, its primary role is to counteract the effects of aldosterone and ADH.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Which of the following conditions does not contribute to the creation and/or maintenance of the medullary osmotic gradient?

a. The countercurrent exchanger of the vasa recta

b. The countercurrent multiplier of the nephron loops of cortical nephrons

c. The countercurrent multiplier of the nephron loops of juxtamedullary nephrons

d. The permeability of the medullary collecting system to urea and other ions

Textbook Question

Glomerular hydrostatic pressure _____ filtration; colloid osmotic pressure and capsular hydrostatic pressure_____ filtration.

a. Favors; favor

b. Opposes; oppose

c. Favors; oppose

d. Opposes; favor

Textbook Question

Which of the following is false about the GFR?

a. The GFR averages about 120 ml/min

b. The GFR increases when the afferent arteriole dilates

c. The GFR decreases when the efferent arteriole constricts

d. The GFR decreases when the afferent arteriole constricts

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Textbook Question

The kidneys produce _____ urine when the osmolarity of the body's fluids increases. They produce _____ urine when the osmolarity of the body's fluids decreases.

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Textbook Question

Normal urine should have which of the following properties? Circle all that apply.

a. Translucency

b. Yellowish pigment

c. Cloudy appearance

d. pH less than 4.5

Textbook Question

The route by which substances are reabsorbed by crossing through the cells of the renal tubule and collecting system is known as the:

a. Paracellular route

b. Transcellular route

c. Primary active transport route

d. Facultative route