Question

If production of plasma proteins by the liver were to decrease, causing BCOP to fall to 20 mmHg, what would the value of NFP become (in mmHg)? Assume GBHP and CHP are unaffected.

Answer 1

The new value of net filtration pressure (NFP) would be 20 mmHg if BCOP decreases to 20 mmHg, assuming GBHP and CHP remain unchanged.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the production of plasma proteins by the liver were to decrease, causing BCOP to fall to 20 mmHg, we can calculate the new net filtration pressure (NFP). If we assume Glomerular blood hydrostatic pressure (GBHP) and capsular hydrostatic pressure (CHP) are unaffected, and if GBHP is typically 55 mmHg and CHP is 15 mmHg, then the NFP would be calculated as follows:

NFP = GBHP - [CHP + BCOP] = 55 mmHg - [15 mmHg + 20 mmHg] = 55 mmHg - 35 mmHg = 20 mmHg.

Therefore, the new value of NFP would be 20 mmHg, which represents an increase from the typical NFP value of 10 mmHg under normal conditions with a BCOP of 25 mmHg.