Question

1. Plasma proteins are not normal constituents of the urine, as they are not allowed to pass through the capillaries of the glomerulus (site of blood filtration in the kidney).A streptococcal infection of the kidney can result in glomerulonephritis. In this disease the basement membrane of the capillaries loses its negative charge, allowing proteins to leak into the urine. This results in proteinurea (protein in urine) or albuminurea (albumin in the urine). What are the consequences of this loss of proteins?

2. NASA is interested in the potential effects of zero gravity on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Due to your superb knowledge of cardiovascular physiology, the head of the space program gives you a call to ask you for your input. What might you tell them about the probably alterations in cardiovascular physiology which would occur in a zero gravity environment?

3. Why is the condition elephantiasis (parasitic infection that blocks lymphatic vessels) dangerous for a patient? Explain the relationship between the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems when answering this question.