How Does the Filtration Barrier at the Kidney Work?

[sameeralord]

Red-capillary Purple- Basement membrane Blue-podocyte

Hello everyone, Now my question is after something if filtered from the capillary how does it go to the podocyte. The basement membrane looks too thick with no pores to me, it seems to be blocking the passage of molecules. Thanks

 

[bobze]

What do you mean, "go to the podocyte"?

 

[Andy Resnick]

The podocyte processes are separated in space, these are called "slit diaphragms" The size of these are about (IIRC) 10 nm wide, allowing transport of the blood plasma into the glomerular tuft. Again, AFAIK the slit diaphragms are too small to allow passage of viruses/bacteria/cells.

Podocytes are interesting cells- they don't divide (you are born with a full complement), and have a very high amount of cholesterol in the cell membrane, increasing the rigidity. The slit diaphragms are subject to enormous fluid stress- which you can very for yourself, given the size of the pore and the amount of fluid that passes (each kidney deals with about 150 L of fluid per day)

 

[mtc1973]

Basement membrane - think coffee filter - not barrier. It is a mesh of connective tissue fibres (collagen/elastin). PS nice diagram - where is it from?