Question 1:
Describe the structure and functioning of nephrons.
Answer
Nephrons are the basic filtering units of kidneys. Each kidney possesses large number
of nephrons,approximately 1-1.5 million. The main components of the nephron are
glomerulus, Bowman’s capsule, and a long renal tubule.
Structure of a nephron
Functioning of a nephron:
• The blood enters the kidney through the renal artery, which branches into many
capillaries associated with glomerulus.
• The water and solute are transferred to the nephron at Bowman’s capsule.
• In the proximal tubule, some substances such as amino acids, glucose, and salts
are selectively reabsorbed and unwanted molecules are added in the urine.
• The filtrate then moves down into the loop of Henle, where more water is absorbed.
• From here, the filtrate moves upwards into the distal tubule and finally to the
collecting duct. Collecting duct collects urine from many nephrons.
• The urine formed in each kidney enters a long tube called ureter. From ureter, it
gets transported to the urinary bladder and then into the urethra.
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