Question

Water membrane permeability changes are at the core of water conservation mechanisms in humans. Understanding this process requires integrating concepts from cell biology to the endocrine system.

Would human urine be less or more concentrated if we block Aquaporin molecules in the descending Loop of Henle?

Answer 1

If Aquaporin molecules are blocked in the descending Loop of Henle, human urine would be more dilute, as these channels are essential for water reabsorption necessary for the production of concentrated urine.

Step-by-step explanation:

Blocking Aquaporin molecules in the descending Loop of Henle would lead to less efficient water reabsorption from the filtrate back into the body. Consequently, this would result in the production of more dilute urine. Normally, as the filtrate descends through the Loop of Henle into the medulla, where the osmolarity increases, water is osmotically pulled out of the filtrate through aquaporin channels into the surrounding interstitial space and eventually reabsorbed into the bloodstream. This water reabsorption is crucial for producing concentrated urine and thus conserving water in the body.

Without aquaporin channels, water would not be reabsorbed effectively in the descending Loop of Henle. As aquaporins facilitate the passing of water across the cell membrane, blocking these proteins would impede the body's natural mechanism of concentrating urine. Hence, the final urine excreted would be less concentrated, indicative of impaired water conservation.