Topic: Examining slides of liver and kidney

Purpose:

1. To understand the structures of the liver and kidney so as to reinforce the

theoretical understanding of the functions of the two organs in homeostasis.

2. To understand the important structures in the liver and kidney which function

in homeostasis.

Apparatus and Materials:

1. Microscope

2. Prepared slides of liver and kidney

Procedure:

1. The slides under low power microscope are observed to determine the plan of

general tissue distribution. The detailed structures are examined under high

power microscope by observing the form of the cells and other features.

2. Two drawings for each slide are made.

a. The outline as seen under low power microscope is drawn. Any cells

are not drawn.

b. Detailed is drawn as seen under high power microscope showing

accurate cell/tissue characteristics. Draw a few cells only.

3. Each drawing had a complete title which gives the following information:

Name of organ, type of section, and magnification.

4. Prepared slides of liver and kidney are examined. A large labelled plan

drawing of each tissue is made.

5. The liver that consists of many lobules is noted. For each lobules, liver cells

(liver cord) are arranged in rows in between sinusoids which are blood

channels. Bile canaliculus lies in between liver cords. Central vein is a

tributary of the hepatic vein. The portal area contains the bile ducts, branches

of hepatic artery, and branches of hepatic portal vein.

6. Kidney slide under low power microscope is examined and the characteristics

of the various structures found in this organ are identified. The capsule

(connective tissues), pelvis, cortex and medulla are observed. The Malphigian

corpuscle that consist of glomerulus and Bowman’s capsule, the cuboid

epithelial cells of the proximal convoluted tubules have brush borders while

the distal convoluted tubules have bigger lumen and without brush borders

are noted.

7. The magnification of drawing is stated.

Discussions:

1. The blood vessels which feed the liver are hepatic portal vein and hepatic

arteries.

2. Emulsification is the processing of making emulsions. Emulsions are usually

produced by shaking the dispersed phase such as water and dispersion

medium continuously and then stabilizing with the emulsion with an emulsifier.

Most often the most commonly used things are soaps and the detergents are

added to stabilize emulsions. Bile acts to some extent as a surfactant, helping

to emulsify the fats in the food

3. The names of the two types of bile salt are Taurocholate and Glychocholate.

4. Bile is not considered an enzyme because it does not break down things; it

only makes fat globules smaller so that they are easier to digest. 

5. Mammals have to get rid of their excretory products because they will become

harmful. Such excretory products are carbon dioxide and water, nitrogenous

metabolic wastes, excess salt, water and salt.

Conclusion:

1. The structures of the liver and kidney had been understood so as to reinforce

the theoretical understanding of the functions of the two organs in

homeostasis. Such structures of liver are lobule, hepatic portal vein, hepatic

vein, hepatic artery, hepatocytes and sinusoid.

2. The understandings of the important structures in the liver and kidney which

function in homeostasis were achieved.