One model of the glomerular membrane is a microporous membrane in which right cylindrical pores penetrate all the way through the membrane. Assume that the pores have a length of 50 nm and a radius of 3.5 nm. The viscosity of plasma is 0.002 Pa s. The average hydrostatic pressure in the glomerulus is 60 mm Hg, hydrostatic pressure in Bowman’s space is 20 mm Hg and the average oncotic pressure of glomerular capillary blood is 28 mm Hg. A. Calculate the flow through a single pore assuming laminar flow (use the Poiseuille flow equation). B. How many pores would there have to be to produce a normal GFR? C. If the total aggregate area of the kidneys for filtration is 1.5 m2, what is the density of the pores (number of pores per unit area) D. What fraction of the area is present as pores?
One model of the glomerular membrane is a microporous membrane in which right cylindrical pores
penetrate all the way through the membrane. Assume that the pores have a length of 50 nm and a
radius of 3.5 nm. The viscosity of plasma is 0.002 Pa s. The average hydrostatic pressure in the
glomerulus is 60 mm Hg, hydrostatic pressure in Bowman’s space is 20 mm Hg and the average
oncotic pressure of glomerular capillary blood is 28 mm Hg.
A. Calculate the flow through a single pore assuming laminar flow (use the Poiseuille flow
equation).
B. How many pores would there have to be to produce a normal GFR?
C. If the total aggregate area of the kidneys for filtration is 1.5 m2, what is the density of the
pores (number of pores per unit area)
D. What fraction of the area is present as pores?
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