alleryStart learning →What is the net effect of intercalated cell activity on plasma and on urine?
AIt raises plasma acidity and lowers urine acidity
BIt raises both plasma acidity and urine acidity
CIt lowers both plasma acidity and urine acidity
DIt lowers plasma acidity and raises urine acidity
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. It lowers plasma acidity and raises urine acidity
1. Intercalated cells sit in the collecting duct and are the acid handlers there.
2. They reabsorb potassium and bicarbonate from the forming urine.
3. At the same time they secrete hydrogen ions into it.
4. Taking bicarbonate back and pushing acid out makes the plasma less acidic.
5. The hydrogen ions dumped into the tubule make the urine more acidic.
6. So the two fluids move in opposite directions, which is the whole point of the arrangement.
7. Any option moving both in the same direction would mean the kidney could not correct a plasma acid load at all.
_Source: OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology (CC BY 4.0), Ch 25 "The Urinary System", section 25.6 Tubular Reabsorption_
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