MCAT Biology Question 145: Answer and Explanation

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Question: 145

10. Diabetic nephropathy is commonly detected by finding protein in the urine of a patient. In such a disease, where is the likely defect in the nephron?

  • A. Glomerulus
  • B. Proximal convoluted tubule
  • C. Loop of Henle
  • D. Collecting duct

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

The glomerulus is the most likely location of pathology if large proteins are detected in the urine. This is because large proteins should not be able to pass through the filter of the glomerulus in the first place. Once large proteins are in the filtrate, no other nephron structure can reabsorb them. Thus, the only likely source of protein in the urine is glomerular pathology.

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