Excretion in humans: End of topic exercises

Section A
Question 1

1.1 Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.
Choose the correct answer and write only the letter (A- D) next to the
question number (1.1.1 – 1.1.5) on your answer sheet, for example 1.1.6 D

1.1.1 Which of the following is the correct sequence of activities that

occurs during kidney functioning?

A pressure filtration→ excretion → re-absorption

B re-absorption → pressure filtration → excretion
C excretion → pressure filtration → re-absorption
D pressure filtration → re-absorption → excretion

1.1.2 Which of the following is part of the circulatory system of blood?

A glomerulus
B convoluted tubules
C Loop of Henle
D Bowman’s capsule

1.1.3 Which of the following will cause the kidneys to reabsorb more
sodium ions?

A A decrease in blood pressure

B An increase in the volume of blood
C Constriction of the afferent arterioles
D A decrease in the amount of ADH secreted

1.1.4 If a drop in pH of the blood occurs, the kidneys will…

A increase the absorption of urea
B decrease the absorption of sodium ions
C decrease the secretion of hydrogen ions
D increase the re-absorption of bicarbonate ions

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 1.1.5 Which ONE of the following is a direct cause of kidney damage?
A High cholesterol
B Too little physical exercise
C Drinking hot tea
D High blood pressure
(5 × 2) = (10)

1.2 Give the correct biological term for each of the following descriptions. Write
only the term next to the question number.
1.2.1 The process of filtering the accumulated waste products of
metabolism from the blood of a patient whose kidneys are not
functioning properly.
1.2.2 The functional and structural unit of the human kidney.
1.2.3 The control of water content and salt balances in the blood and
tissue fluid.
1.2.4 Specialised cells with filtration slits found lining Bowman’s capsule.
1.2.5 A network of capillary blood vessels inside Bowman’s capsule.
1.2.6 Blood vessel that carries purified deoxygenated blood away from the
kidney.
1.2.7 Outer fibrous membrane that protects the kidney against infection.
1.2.8 Tube that transports urine from the bladder to outside the body.
1.2.9 The blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood filled with waste to
the kidney.
1.2.10 Part of the kidney where the Malpighian bodies are found.
(10 x 1) = (10)

1.3 Indicate whether each of the descriptions in COLUMN I applies to A ONLY,

B ONLY, BOTH A AND B or NONE of the items in COLUMN II. Write A
only, B only, both A and B or none next to the question number.

Column I Column II
1.3.1 Blood leaving the kidney contains
A: amino acids
more of this substance than the
B: carbon dioxide
blood entering the kidney
A: kidneys
1.3.2 Affected by bilharzia
B: lungs
A: ADH
1.3.3 Osmoregulation
B: TSH

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 1.3.4 Tube that carries urine from the A: ureter
kidney to the bladder. B: urethra
1.3.5 The hormone(s) secreted by the
A: ADH
adrenal gland to regulate the salt
B: aldosterone
concentration of the blood.
(5 × 2) = (10)

1.4 Study the longitudinal section through the human kidney and answer the
questions that follow.

E B

1.4.1 Label parts A, B and C. (3)

1.4.2 Which labelled part becomes a site of obstruction to the flow of
urine when a pellet or renal stone is dislodged. (1)
1.4.3 Mention two ways in which kidney stones can be prevented. (2)
1.4.4 Mention one way in which kidney stones can be treated. (1)
1.4.5 State the name and letter of the blood vessel that contains a higher
percentage of waste products. (2)
1.4.6 Which one of the labelled blood vessels has the lowest blood
pressure? (1)
(10)

1.5 The diagram below shows the structure of the human urinary system.

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 C D
A A
E
A
B
A

A
A

1.5.1 Give labels for the following parts:

a) B (1)
b) E (1)
c) A (1)
1.5.2 Mention ONE difference between the composition of the blood
in C and D. (2)
1.5.3 Although bilharzia it is not a notifiable disease in South Africa, in
2015 approximately 2 million children were infected with it. More
than 200 million people worldwide have bilharzia. There is no
vaccine for the disease, but treatment can reduce its impact on the
body.
a) Name the parasite that causes bilharzia. (1)
b) The kidneys, ureters and bladder are affected by the parasite.
Name 3 symptoms of the disease. (3)
c) What should you avoid doing if you are in an infected area in
South Africa? (1)

(10)

Section A: [50]

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Section B
Question 2

2.1 The accompanying diagram shows part of the excretory system of the
human body. Study the diagram and the table below before answering the
questions that follow.

2.1.1 Identify the labels marked A, B and C. (3)

The table below shows the composition of fluid in Structure A and
Structure B of the diagram.

Structure A Structure B
Component Concentration (%) Concentration (%)
Urea 3 200
Glucose 10 0
Amino acids 5 0
Salts 72 150
Proteins 800 0

2.1.2 By comparing the contents of structures A and B, what conclusion

can be drawn regarding the functions of the kidney? (1)
2.1.3 Would you consider that the person with the medical report shown
above suffers from diabetes mellitus? Explain your answer. (4)
2.1.4 Which organic substances in the table are considered to be
useful? Give a reason for your answer. (4)
(12)

2.2 Study the diagram below and answer the questions that follow.

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 2.2.1 In which region of the kidney would you find this structure? (1)
2.2.2 Name the process in urine formation that occurs in this structure. (1)
2.2.3 Identify the part C. (1)
2.2.4 Describe two structural adaptations of part C for the process in
question 2.2.3 above. (4)
2.2.5 Part A is wider than part B. What is the importance of this? (2)
2.2.6 Name the hormone secreted when there is a storage of water
in A. (1)
2.2.7 Describe how the hormone named in question 2.2.6 plays its
role under such conditions. (3)
(13)
[25]
Question 3
3.1 An extract on renal failure and its treatment is given below (the diagram
represents a dialysis machine, used to treat patients with renal failure).

dialysis fluid dialysis fluid

to patient’s A
blood vessels

B
from patient’s
Pump
blood vessels
Dialysis membrane (Dialysis tubing)

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 Extract:
Kidneys can become so damaged that they no longer function properly, and
we say that the person has renal failure. People with severe renal failure can
be treated by dialysis, using a dialysis machine, to purify the blood. Dialysis is
the separation of molecules by size, the smaller molecules diffusing through a
dialysis tubing (selectively permeable membrane). The process takes
between three and six hours and needs to be done two or three times a week.

3.1.1 Describe what renal failure is. (2)

3.1.2 Which process is illustrated in the diagram above? (1)
3.1.3 At what point in the diagram (A or B) would you expect the highest
concentration of urea? (1)
3.1.4 Describe how blood is purified in the dialysis machine. (2)
3.1.5 Explain why dialysis tubing needs to be selectively permeable. (2)
3.1.6 Renal failure affects the osmoregulatory function of the kidney, so
that it no longer excretes water efficiently. Explain the effect of renal
failure on the patient’s blood pressure. (3)
(11)

3.2 Study the following table that shows the flow rate and concentration of
certain substances taken at regions A, B, C and D of the nephron in the
human kidney.

Part of Flow rate Solute concentrations

nephron (cm3/min) (g/100 cm3)
Sodium Ammonium
Proteins Glucose Urea
ions salts
A 4 0 0 0,6 0,04 1,80
B 200 0 0,10 0,72 0 0,05
C 4 0 0 0,3 0 0,15
D 2000 7 0,10 0,72 0 0,05

3.2.1 State, with a reason, which of the following parts (A, B, C or D) of the
nephron represents the following:
a) afferent arteriole (2)
b) Bowman’s capsule (capsular space) (2)
c) Loop of Henle (2)
d) Collecting duct / Duct of Bellini (2)

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3.2.2 Explain the difference in the flow rate between B and D. (4)
3.2.3 State two functions of the kidneys, other than pH regulation,
that can be supported by the data given. (2)
(14)
[25]

Section B: [50]

Total marks: [100]

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