Final answer:
To calculate the filtration fraction, divide the Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) by the Renal Plasma Flow (RPF). For example, with a GFR of 110 mL/min and an RPF of 578 mL/min, FF would equal approximately 19%.
Step-by-step explanation:
The filtration fraction (FF) is crucial in understanding kidney function and is defined as the ratio of the Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) to the Renal Plasma Flow (RPF). To calculate FF, you'd take the GFR and divide it by the RPF.
Provided we have an RPF of 578 mL/min (from a blood flow of 1050 mL/min and a hematocrit of 45, representing 55% of the blood plasma) and a GFR of 110 mL/min (19% of the RPF is filtered into Bowman's capsule), we would calculate it as follows:
FF = GFR / RPF = 110 mL/min / 578 mL/min
After performing the division, you'll find that under normal conditions, this value averages around 20 percent, reflecting the proportion of plasma passing through the kidneys that becomes filtrate entering the renal tubules. Therefore, the FF helps in assessing how efficiently the kidneys filter the plasma.