On Tuesday, December 8th, Mr. Bradley’s Anatomy and Physiology class performed a lab, to emphasize their recent studies in the urinary system. The lab, in which simulated urine was used, was conducted to perform a urinalysis. A urinalysis is a test of urine used to detect medical issues, drug usage, and pregnancy. The class used the lab to examine the simulated urine and diagnose different “patients” with medical conditions, based on the symptoms these “patients” exhibited in their urine.
The tests the class performed included examining the physical characteristics of the simulated urine, testing for sugars, testing for proteins, and examining the simulated urine under the microscope. Examining the physical characteristics include testing the color, clarity, smell, and pH level of the simulated urine. Abnormalities in these characteristics helped the class diagnose “patients'', by matching abnormal characteristics with certain medical conditions. The second test, the Benedict test for sugar, involved adding a blue solution to the simulated urine and heating the urine. A positive reaction in this test entailed the solution turning from blue to orange after heating, showing the “patient” had sugar in their urine. The Biuret test for protein required the class to add a solution to the simulated urine. A positive reaction that meant protein was present in the urine involved the simulated urine changing from the original color to an orange color. Finally, the last test entailed microscopic observations. The students prepared slides of each “patient’s” urine and examined these slides for white blood cells, red blood cells, and crystals. Observation of these characteristics helped the student create a diagnosis for each “patient”.
This lab helped the Anatomy and Physiology students gain a better understanding of the urinary system. Through this lab, the students examined abnormal symptoms and understood their importance, and were able to correctly perform tests and demonstrate their grasp on how the urinary system operates.
The setup for the Benedict test, after the blue Benedict solution, has been added.
A positive reaction occurring while testing for sugar during the Benedict test.
A hypha found in the simulated urine, possibly indicating a fungal infection.
A crystal observed under the microscope in the simulated urine.
