Urinalysis and Body Fluids 6th Edition by Majorie DiLorenzo, Susan Strasinger

Exercise 39

If ammonia is not produced by the distal convoluted tubule, the urine pH will be:

A. Acidic

B. Basic

Step 1 of 2

pH:

pH is the scale used to indicate, acidity or alkalinity of the aqueous solution. The balanced pH is 7.0.

Urine pH:

• Urine pH range of a normal healthy people will be 6.5 to 7.0 in the morning (mild acidity) and in the evening it will be 7.5 to 8.0(alkalinity).

• The ammonia is secreted in the distal and proximal convoluted tubule by the break down process of glutamine.

• Ammonia is sent out in the urine as ammonium ions in the urine which makes the urine acidity.

• Hence, if the ammonia is not formed by the distal convoluted tubule, the urine will be obviously, basic (alkaline) in condition.

Therefore, the urine pH will be in “basic”, if the ammonia is not formed by the distal convoluted tubule. Hence, the correct answer is option.