Urinalysis
Read the entire exercise and organize time, materials, and work space before beginning.
Objectives
· To understand components of urine.
· To measure urine components..
Materials
Materials: |
Qty |
Item Description: |
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1 |
Timer or clock |
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15 |
Urinalysis Test Strip – must be 10 parameter or more test ( like this 100 count >>  pic are linked to possible places to purchase) |
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1 |
Disposable cup or Beaker with graduated measurements |
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1 |
Salted pretzels |
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1 |
Distilled water |
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1 |
Caffeine based drink |
Discussion and Review
Everything we put into our mouth has an effect on the urine we produce. All the excess components and waste we produce that are in the ion form or a liquid form are excreted via the urine. But if we do not put anything into our mouth then the lack of water becomes an even bigger problem. Our daily lives cause us to continually lose water. We lose a little every time we exhale, we lose some directly through our skin and we lose water in the formation of urine. If all this lost water is not replaced by drinking, our body fluids become hypertonic (more concentrated).
Consuming salt is a fast way to mimic the effect of not drinking water for several hours because it quickly makes our body fluids hypertonic, just as water loss without replacement would do. This triggers ADH (Antidiuretic Hormone) release and our thirst drive, mechanisms for maintaining homeostasis. Drinking a large amount of distilled water makes our body fluids hypotonic (more dilute), which inhibits ADH release. Caffeine increases blood pressure in the glomerulus, increasing glomerular filtration rate. The following experiment will test the response of the urinary system to each one of these factors.
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