Kidney Case Study
Identify the Problem The kidney is an extraordinary organ. Without its processes, human life would be virtually impossible. It is a very well known fact that when individuals consume large amounts of liquid, they eliminate much of the liquid through urine. On the other hand, when individuals are severely dehydrated very little urine is formed. This certainly illustrates that control mechanisms in the human being can regulate the amount of urine that is formed.
When tap water is ingested, there is a relatively rapid elimination of the water in the urine. However, when salt is ingested, there is a considerable delay in the excretion of water because salt is ingested. The ingestion of coffee is very quickly followed by rapid elimination …show more content…
of urine as a result of the effect of caffeine on the kidney. This effect would be observed with any beverage containing caffeine.
The measurement of pH and color is an indication of whether urine is dilute or concentrated. If urine is concentrated, then the pH would be low and the color would be dark yellow. A dilute urine, however, would have a high pH and be almost colorless.
Under normal conditions, the pH or urine is slightly acidic, because metabolic reactions in the cells generate acid materials. The normal pH of urine is about 6: although, under certain conditions, the pH could be as low as 4.5 or as high as 8. The color of urine is due to the presence of bile pigments which are end products of hemoglobin metabolism. If these pigments are concentrated in urine, then urine would have a darker color. The purpose of this experiment is to show the kidneys ability to alter the output of urine in response to the ingestion of different liquids such as tap water, Gatorade or any other sport drink, and coffee.
Collect/Research Information The makeup of the urinary tract includes: the kidneys, two ureters, and the urethra, a tube leading from the bladder to the outside of the body.
The kidneys make up a filter system for the blood, reabsorbing almost 99% of the fluid into the blood, and sending only two to four pints of waste (urine) into the bladder for storage until it can be disposed of. The kidneys allow the blood to keep glucose, salts and minerals after cleansing it of poisonous materials which will be passed out in the urinary tract.
Urine is produced in the kidneys and goes down through two ten to twelve inch long tubes called ureters, which connect the kidneys to the bladder.
The ureters are about one-fourth inch in diameter and their muscular walls contract to make waves of movement to force the urine into the bladder. The bladder is expandable and stores the urine until it can be conveniently disposed of. It also closes openings into the ureters so that urine cannot flow back into the kidneys. The tube through which the urine flows out of the body is called the urethra.
Kidneys are also largely responsible for maintaining the water balance of the body and the pH of the blood. Kidneys play important roles in other bodily functions, such as releasing the hormone producing protein that stimulates increased development of red blood cells in the bone marrow, and helping to control blood pressure.
Kidneys are paired, reddish-brown, bean-shaped structures. They are about eleven centimeters long. Kidneys are located on each side of spine, just above the waist. The kidneys are sophisticated trash collectors. Every day, your kidneys process about 200 quarts of blood to sift out about two quarts of waste products and extra …show more content…
water. When something goes wrong inside the kidney your body may be in risk of a many very serious problems. Today more than 20 million Americans, one in nine adults, have chronic kidney disease; more than 20 million others are at increased risk. Kidney disease is one of the costliest illnesses in the U.S. today. More than 70,000 Americans die each year because of kidney disease. At the moment more than 50,000 patients are waiting for kidney transplants, but only about 14,000 will receive transplants this year because of a shortage of suitable organ donors. Diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney failure, accounting for 44 percent of the new cases each year and 35 percent of all cases in the U.S. Uncontrolled or poorly controlled high blood pressure is the second leading cause of chronic kidney failure in the U.S., accounting for about 23 percent of U.S. cases. Hemodialysis (dialysis) is a procedure that cleans and filters your blood.
It helps your body get rid of harmful wastes and extra salt and fluids; it also controls blood pressure and helps your body keep the proper balance of chemicals. Dialysis uses a dialyzer, or special filter, to clean your blood. The dialyzer connects to a machine. During treatment, your blood travels through tubes into the dialyzer. The dialyzer filters out wastes and extra fluids. Next the newly cleaned blood flows through another set of tubes and back into your body. Before a first treatment, an access to your bloodstream must be made. The access provides a way for blood to be carried from your body to the dialysis machine and then back into your body. Dialysis usually is done three times a week, each treatment lasts from 3 to 5 hours. During treatment people can read, write, sleep, talk, or watch TV. Side effects can be caused by rapid changes in your body's fluid and chemical balance during treatment. Muscle cramps and hypotension are two common side effects. Hypotension, a sudden drop in blood pressure, can make you feel weak, dizzy, or sick to your stomach, it usually takes a few months to adjust to hemodialysis. Side effects can be avoided if you follow the proper diet and take your medicines as directed. Side effects can usually be treated quickly and
easily.
Suggest a Hypothesis & Design Experiment/Procedure
Various fluids affect the kidney in different ways. I believe that coffee will cause the kidneys to excrete urine more frequently than the other fluids consumed in this experiment. To prove my hypothesis, I used the following materials: 1 liter of Gatorade or any sports drink, 1 liter of water, 1 liter of coffee, 1 500 ml beaker, pH paper, and a timer. The participant in my experiment did not drink abnormal amounts of liquid at the meal preceding the experiment. She did not consume drinks that contained any caffeine or theophylline (tea). The bladder was emptied before beginning the experiment, as well. Step # 1: One liter of tap water was ingested rapidly to minimize the total time required for ingestion. Step #2: The time was recorded at the completion of ingestion and then urine samples were collected at twenty minute intervals for a total of five twenty minute periods. Each collection represented a complete emptying of the bladder. Step #3: The total urine volume collected and the color of the sample was recorded. The pH of the collection was determined with pH paper and recorded. Step #4: When all measurements were made and everything was recorded the urine sample was discarded. All four of theses steps were repeated for the Gatorade and the Coffee.
Analyze the Data
In the Gatorade experiment the color of the urine started out as a dark yellow and began to lighten toward the end of the experiment s the concentration began to dilute. The pH of the urine did not fluctuate very highly. It remained between 6 and 7. Drinking one liter of Gatorade causes the blood volume, drinking pressure, and the rate of filtration in the kidney to increase. The osmotic pressure of the blood changes very little because the saline is ingested. The Gatorade is broken down and absorbed very much like water.
The caffeine in coffee dilates the blood vessel that carries blood to the kidney and increases the rate of filtration. The end result is an increase in the rate of urine formation. The color of urine was initially dark yellow but changes to pale yellow as the experiment wore on. Some of the dark yellow was attributed to the urine becoming more concentrated, while some of it may be due to the dark coloration of the pigments in the coffee. The pH level fluctuated slightly from 5.5 to a 6 but it remained pretty much the same throughout the experiment.
The average excretion volume for each of the liquids was found to be 152.53 mL for Gatorade, 143.06 mL for tap water and 293 mL for coffee. The coffee is surely the winner in the amount of excretion of urine after ingestion.
Draw Conclusions There really wasn't much difference in the urine output of the water and Gatorade. Both tests were done at the same time of day with the same person performing the experiment. However, the coffee had a much higher average output of urine. Coffee does produces the largest amount of urine of the three liquids that were ingested for this experiment. Caffeine must have a higher impact on the kidneys than water or Gatorade.
Was my Hypothesis Supported? My hypothesis was supported because the coffee did cause the kidneys to put out more urine than the Gatorade or the water. However, I wonder if my experimenter would have been male if that would have caused a different outcome. I also wonder if the age of my experimenter had anything to do with the outcome. The average excretion from drinking the coffee was 293 mL. I did this project with my Great Grandpa Kischer in mind; he is on dialysis three times a week. He is starting his eighth year on dialysis and I go visits him whenever I can at the Renal Center. I got a lot of my information from the head nurse Chris Reichs. I wanted to understand a little more about why Grandpa can not have certain foods or drinks that contain potassium and salt. Now that I know how the kidney works I understand why Grandpa can not have those foods or drinks because his kidneys don't work and he relies on the dialyzer to clean his blood.
Sources
Ahlstrom, T.P. The Kidney Patient's Book. Delran, N.J.: Great Issues Press, 1991.
Riechs, C. Nurse at Renal Center of Storm Lake. November, 2005.
Silverstein, Dr. A., Silverstein, V., Silverstein, R. The Excretory System. New York: Twenty First Century Books, 1994. http://kidshealth.org/kid/body/kidneys_noSW_p2.html, November 25, 2005.
When tap water is ingested, there is a relatively rapid elimination of the water in the urine. However, when salt is ingested, there is a considerable delay in the excretion of water because salt is ingested. The ingestion of coffee is very quickly followed by rapid elimination …show more content…
of urine as a result of the effect of caffeine on the kidney. This effect would be observed with any beverage containing caffeine.
The measurement of pH and color is an indication of whether urine is dilute or concentrated. If urine is concentrated, then the pH would be low and the color would be dark yellow. A dilute urine, however, would have a high pH and be almost colorless.
Under normal conditions, the pH or urine is slightly acidic, because metabolic reactions in the cells generate acid materials. The normal pH of urine is about 6: although, under certain conditions, the pH could be as low as 4.5 or as high as 8. The color of urine is due to the presence of bile pigments which are end products of hemoglobin metabolism. If these pigments are concentrated in urine, then urine would have a darker color. The purpose of this experiment is to show the kidneys ability to alter the output of urine in response to the ingestion of different liquids such as tap water, Gatorade or any other sport drink, and coffee.
Collect/Research Information The makeup of the urinary tract includes: the kidneys, two ureters, and the urethra, a tube leading from the bladder to the outside of the body.
The kidneys make up a filter system for the blood, reabsorbing almost 99% of the fluid into the blood, and sending only two to four pints of waste (urine) into the bladder for storage until it can be disposed of. The kidneys allow the blood to keep glucose, salts and minerals after cleansing it of poisonous materials which will be passed out in the urinary tract.
Urine is produced in the kidneys and goes down through two ten to twelve inch long tubes called ureters, which connect the kidneys to the bladder.
The ureters are about one-fourth inch in diameter and their muscular walls contract to make waves of movement to force the urine into the bladder. The bladder is expandable and stores the urine until it can be conveniently disposed of. It also closes openings into the ureters so that urine cannot flow back into the kidneys. The tube through which the urine flows out of the body is called the urethra.
Kidneys are also largely responsible for maintaining the water balance of the body and the pH of the blood. Kidneys play important roles in other bodily functions, such as releasing the hormone producing protein that stimulates increased development of red blood cells in the bone marrow, and helping to control blood pressure.
Kidneys are paired, reddish-brown, bean-shaped structures. They are about eleven centimeters long. Kidneys are located on each side of spine, just above the waist. The kidneys are sophisticated trash collectors. Every day, your kidneys process about 200 quarts of blood to sift out about two quarts of waste products and extra …show more content…
water. When something goes wrong inside the kidney your body may be in risk of a many very serious problems. Today more than 20 million Americans, one in nine adults, have chronic kidney disease; more than 20 million others are at increased risk. Kidney disease is one of the costliest illnesses in the U.S. today. More than 70,000 Americans die each year because of kidney disease. At the moment more than 50,000 patients are waiting for kidney transplants, but only about 14,000 will receive transplants this year because of a shortage of suitable organ donors. Diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney failure, accounting for 44 percent of the new cases each year and 35 percent of all cases in the U.S. Uncontrolled or poorly controlled high blood pressure is the second leading cause of chronic kidney failure in the U.S., accounting for about 23 percent of U.S. cases. Hemodialysis (dialysis) is a procedure that cleans and filters your blood.
It helps your body get rid of harmful wastes and extra salt and fluids; it also controls blood pressure and helps your body keep the proper balance of chemicals. Dialysis uses a dialyzer, or special filter, to clean your blood. The dialyzer connects to a machine. During treatment, your blood travels through tubes into the dialyzer. The dialyzer filters out wastes and extra fluids. Next the newly cleaned blood flows through another set of tubes and back into your body. Before a first treatment, an access to your bloodstream must be made. The access provides a way for blood to be carried from your body to the dialysis machine and then back into your body. Dialysis usually is done three times a week, each treatment lasts from 3 to 5 hours. During treatment people can read, write, sleep, talk, or watch TV. Side effects can be caused by rapid changes in your body's fluid and chemical balance during treatment. Muscle cramps and hypotension are two common side effects. Hypotension, a sudden drop in blood pressure, can make you feel weak, dizzy, or sick to your stomach, it usually takes a few months to adjust to hemodialysis. Side effects can be avoided if you follow the proper diet and take your medicines as directed. Side effects can usually be treated quickly and
easily.
Suggest a Hypothesis & Design Experiment/Procedure
Various fluids affect the kidney in different ways. I believe that coffee will cause the kidneys to excrete urine more frequently than the other fluids consumed in this experiment. To prove my hypothesis, I used the following materials: 1 liter of Gatorade or any sports drink, 1 liter of water, 1 liter of coffee, 1 500 ml beaker, pH paper, and a timer. The participant in my experiment did not drink abnormal amounts of liquid at the meal preceding the experiment. She did not consume drinks that contained any caffeine or theophylline (tea). The bladder was emptied before beginning the experiment, as well. Step # 1: One liter of tap water was ingested rapidly to minimize the total time required for ingestion. Step #2: The time was recorded at the completion of ingestion and then urine samples were collected at twenty minute intervals for a total of five twenty minute periods. Each collection represented a complete emptying of the bladder. Step #3: The total urine volume collected and the color of the sample was recorded. The pH of the collection was determined with pH paper and recorded. Step #4: When all measurements were made and everything was recorded the urine sample was discarded. All four of theses steps were repeated for the Gatorade and the Coffee.
Analyze the Data
In the Gatorade experiment the color of the urine started out as a dark yellow and began to lighten toward the end of the experiment s the concentration began to dilute. The pH of the urine did not fluctuate very highly. It remained between 6 and 7. Drinking one liter of Gatorade causes the blood volume, drinking pressure, and the rate of filtration in the kidney to increase. The osmotic pressure of the blood changes very little because the saline is ingested. The Gatorade is broken down and absorbed very much like water.
The caffeine in coffee dilates the blood vessel that carries blood to the kidney and increases the rate of filtration. The end result is an increase in the rate of urine formation. The color of urine was initially dark yellow but changes to pale yellow as the experiment wore on. Some of the dark yellow was attributed to the urine becoming more concentrated, while some of it may be due to the dark coloration of the pigments in the coffee. The pH level fluctuated slightly from 5.5 to a 6 but it remained pretty much the same throughout the experiment.
The average excretion volume for each of the liquids was found to be 152.53 mL for Gatorade, 143.06 mL for tap water and 293 mL for coffee. The coffee is surely the winner in the amount of excretion of urine after ingestion.
Draw Conclusions There really wasn't much difference in the urine output of the water and Gatorade. Both tests were done at the same time of day with the same person performing the experiment. However, the coffee had a much higher average output of urine. Coffee does produces the largest amount of urine of the three liquids that were ingested for this experiment. Caffeine must have a higher impact on the kidneys than water or Gatorade.
Was my Hypothesis Supported? My hypothesis was supported because the coffee did cause the kidneys to put out more urine than the Gatorade or the water. However, I wonder if my experimenter would have been male if that would have caused a different outcome. I also wonder if the age of my experimenter had anything to do with the outcome. The average excretion from drinking the coffee was 293 mL. I did this project with my Great Grandpa Kischer in mind; he is on dialysis three times a week. He is starting his eighth year on dialysis and I go visits him whenever I can at the Renal Center. I got a lot of my information from the head nurse Chris Reichs. I wanted to understand a little more about why Grandpa can not have certain foods or drinks that contain potassium and salt. Now that I know how the kidney works I understand why Grandpa can not have those foods or drinks because his kidneys don't work and he relies on the dialyzer to clean his blood.
Sources
Ahlstrom, T.P. The Kidney Patient's Book. Delran, N.J.: Great Issues Press, 1991.
Riechs, C. Nurse at Renal Center of Storm Lake. November, 2005.
Silverstein, Dr. A., Silverstein, V., Silverstein, R. The Excretory System. New York: Twenty First Century Books, 1994. http://kidshealth.org/kid/body/kidneys_noSW_p2.html, November 25, 2005.