Question

In a diabetic patient, glucose appears in the urine. Which of the following statements is the best explanation for this phenomenon?

• A. Low plasma levels of glucose causes glucose to be secreted by the proximal tubule.
• B. The kidney is a significant site for glucose synthesis, which causes glucose to occasionally appear in the urine.
• C. The high concentration of glucose saturates the reabsorption pumps, causing glucose to appear in the urine.
• D. The vasa recta transport glucose into the urine.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Diabetes mellitus is a condition wherein there is an excess of glucose produced in the body due to the ineffective functioning of the pancreas. The diabetic patients often have glucosuria (glucose in the urine) due to the malfunctioning of the renal tubules to reabsorb all the filtered glucose back into the blood.