What each part of the tubule does — practice questions

Question 1 · difficulty L1 · recall

The nephron segment responsible for bulk reabsorption of useful solutes and water:

• A. proximal convoluted tubule
• B. Bowman capsule
• C. renal pelvis
• D. ureter

Question 2 · difficulty L1 · recall

Which nephron segment reabsorbs all glucose and amino acids under normal conditions?

• A. Ascending limb of Henle
• B. Proximal convoluted tubule
• C. Collecting duct
• D. Ureter

Question 3 · difficulty L1 · recall

Which part of the loop of Henle is highly permeable to water?

• A. Both limbs equally
• B. Ascending limb
• C. Descending limb
• D. Neither limb

Question 4 · difficulty L2 · understanding

What is a major function of the ascending limb of the loop of Henle?

• A. Storage of urine
• B. Reabsorption of water without salt movement
• C. Filtration of blood cells
• D. Reabsorption of electrolytes while remaining relatively impermeable to water

Question 5 · difficulty L2 · understanding

Which nephron region carries out extensive reabsorption of bicarbonate, sodium and water and also secretes hydrogen ions and ammonia?

• A. Proximal convoluted tubule
• B. Bowman's capsule
• C. Renal pelvis
• D. Ureter

Question 6 · difficulty L3 · application

A drug blocks sodium chloride reabsorption in the ascending limb of Henle. Which renal function is most directly weakened?

• A. Filtration of plasma proteins
• B. Establishment of the medullary osmotic gradient
• C. Contraction of the urinary bladder
• D. Formation of erythrocytes

Question 7 · difficulty L3 · application

Filtrate enters the descending limb of Henle and moves into a progressively more concentrated medulla. What happens to the tubular fluid?

• A. No exchange occurs
• B. Salt enters rapidly and the filtrate becomes dilute
• C. Water leaves, so the filtrate becomes more concentrated
• D. Large plasma proteins are filtered into the tubule

Question 8 · difficulty L3 · application

Which tubule segment is especially important for conditional reabsorption of sodium and water under hormonal control?

• A. Afferent arteriole
• B. Bowman's capsule
• C. Glomerulus
• D. Distal convoluted tubule

Question 9 · difficulty L3 · understanding

Given below are two statements : Statement I : In the nephron, the descending limb of loop of Henle is impermeable to water and permeable to electrolytes. Statement II : The proximal convoluted tubule is lined by simple columnar brush border epithelium and increases the surface area for reabsorption. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the option given below :

• A. Both Statement I and Statement II are true
• B. Both Statement I and Statement II are false
• C. Statement I is true but Statement II is false
• D. Statement I is false but Statement II is true

Question 10 · difficulty L4 · analysis

Filtrate contains glucose when it leaves Bowman's capsule but normally contains virtually none by the end of the proximal convoluted tubule. What does this show?

• A. Filtration is relatively nonselective for small solutes, whereas tubular reabsorption is selective
• B. The glomerulus actively secretes glucose
• C. Glucose is destroyed in Bowman's capsule
• D. Only waste molecules enter the nephron