Introduction
Nephrons are the functional and structural units of the kidneys. Each kidney contains over 1 million of these tiny blood processing units, which carry out the processes that from urine, such as filtration and selective reabsorption . The nephron is where urine is formed and is surrounded by complex network of blood capillaries where active transport and passive transport can take place. The nephron is responsible for removing wastes from the blood and regulate blood composition.
Components of the Nephron:
All these components are vitally important and each play a specific role in the formation of urine, whether it be filtration, selective reabsorption or tubular secretion, these components are responsible for the excretion of bodily wastes and help keep the body at homeostasis.
Nephrons are the functional and structural units of the kidneys. Each kidney contains over 1 million of these tiny blood processing units, which carry out the processes that from urine, such as filtration and selective reabsorption . The nephron is where urine is formed and is surrounded by complex network of blood capillaries where active transport and passive transport can take place. The nephron is responsible for removing wastes from the blood and regulate blood composition.
Components of the Nephron:
- Afferent capillary - Takes blood to Glomerulus
- Glomerulus - Is a knot of blood capillaries from the apparent capillary that filters substances from the blood, situated in the Bowman's capsule
- Renal Capsule ( Bowman's capsule )- where transport of filtrates from the blood come into the nephron
- Efferent capillary - the capillary knots eventually untie to pass out of the Bowman's Capsule and coil around the entire nephron
- Proximal convoluted tubule - selectively reabsorbs solutes such as glucose, amino acids and ions from the filtrate back into the bloodstream
- Loop of Henle' - Reabsorption of water and other solutes such as glucose, amino acids and ions from the filtrate back into the bloodstream
- Distal convoluted tubule - regulates pH/water by absorbing bicarbonate and secrete hydrogen ions
- collecting duct - collects urine from the nephron and sends it to the bladder awaiting removal
All these components are vitally important and each play a specific role in the formation of urine, whether it be filtration, selective reabsorption or tubular secretion, these components are responsible for the excretion of bodily wastes and help keep the body at homeostasis.