When researchers first proposed the countercurrentmultiplication hypothesis for concentration of urine in themammalian kidney, there was great resistance to its acceptancein certain quarters. The anatomist Ivar Sperber, whosecomparative morphological studies originally helped drawattention to the loops of Henle, pointed out that there werecertain rodents in which the anatomy of the kidney should makeit relatively simple to sample blood from the hairpin bends ofthe vasa recta deep in the medulla. Samples of such blood wereobtained, and the osmotic pressure of this blood proved to befar higher than the osmotic pressure of blood in the generalcirculation. This research convinced doubters of the validity ofthe countercurrent multiplication process. Why does blood at thehairpin bends of the vasa recta have a high osmotic pressure, andwhy would knowing its osmotic pressure in the cases describedprovide strong support for the countercurrent multiplicationhypothesis?

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...
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When researchers first proposed the countercurrent
multiplication hypothesis for concentration of urine in the
mammalian kidney, there was great resistance to its acceptance
in certain quarters. The anatomist Ivar Sperber, whose
comparative morphological studies originally helped draw
attention to the loops of Henle, pointed out that there were
certain rodents in which the anatomy of the kidney should make
it relatively simple to sample blood from the hairpin bends of
the vasa recta deep in the medulla. Samples of such blood were
obtained, and the osmotic pressure of this blood proved to be
far higher than the osmotic pressure of blood in the general
circulation. This research convinced doubters of the validity of
the countercurrent multiplication process. Why does blood at the
hairpin bends of the vasa recta have a high osmotic pressure, and
why would knowing its osmotic pressure in the cases described
provide strong support for the countercurrent multiplication
hypothesis?

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