Question

What role do the macula densa cells have in controlling renin release?

1) They release renin in response to an increase in mean arterial pressure.
2) They release renin in response to a decrease in mean arterial pressure.
3) They detect changes in the pressure of afferent arterioles, and communicate these changes to juxtaglomerular cells, which secrete renin.
4) They detect changes in the pressure of efferent arterioles, and communicate these changes to juxtaglomerular cells, which secrete renin.
5) They detect changes in the amount of sodium and chloride in the distal tubules, and communicate these changes to juxtaglomerular cells, which secrete renin.

Answer 1

The macula densa cells detect changes in sodium and chloride levels in the distal tubules and communicate these changes to juxtaglomerular cells to regulate renin secretion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The macula densa cells play a role in controlling renin release by detecting changes in the amount of sodium and chloride in the distal tubules. They communicate these changes to juxtaglomerular cells, which then secrete renin. Renin is an enzyme that plays a key role in the regulation of blood pressure by initiating a cascade of events that increase blood pressure.