Some tips from the LAB TA
Demonstrate the regulation of osmolarity and pH by presenting the kidney with an
excess (1) water or (2) sodium load and recording its response as reflected in the
concentration, pH and volume of urine produced
1. Include your tables from class in the appendix. Class data will be used for means and SD of
your actual figures.
2. Figures: Clearly have subject A and B shown (with colours or shapes). Captions should
include what is being measures, sample size, X and Y labeled and described in caption. Error
bars and description of what the error bar is in capion. No trend/findings in caption. Attach
caption to figure/table like shown in class.
3. Hypothesis/prediciton: You will have 2 of each since there are 2 subjects. Hypothesis is a
statment on effect/no effect. eg. Intaking a large amount of water/sodium bicarboinate will/wont
have an effect on kidney function/ urine parameters. Prediction is then a specific statement on if
the treatment will increase/decrease the parameters. eg. “It is predicted that water consumption
will result in a large volume of dilute urine. An increase in the rate of urination and pH and a
decrease in the specific gravity, total solids, salt content, salt concentration and protein
concentration is predicted”.
4. Intro: Define parameters and all related terms, also tying them into how they are related to
the study/why they are important.
5. Results: Graphs work for most of the parameters. However, glucose and protein are best in a
table becuase these values are more of a scale and do not have a mean/standard deviation.
The other 5 should be in a graph. NO P-VALUES OR STATS YAY!
6. Discussion: Remember the objective and use this to help guide you. What should a kidney
be doing when presented with these treatments? Did that happen? What are possible factors
that could change this (and why). Be specific!!! “this is helpful to animal physiology” is not
explaining the relevance or importance.
7. References: abbreviate journals and no italicizing