Question

What is the function of the nephron?

Answer 1

The nephron is the structural and functional unit of kidneys. A nephron is composed of a tuft of capillaries called glomerulus, a glomerular capsule called the Bowman’s capsule and a renal tubule.

Complete answer:
The filtration of blood takes place in the nephron as the blood passes through the three layers of the nephron. The three layers of the nephron are:
- The endothelial cells of the capillary walls
- The basement membrane
- The podocytes
The peritubular capillaries of the renal tubule run through the ascending and descending loop of Henle.
The nephron utilizes the following mechanisms for the filtration of blood. The mechanisms are:
- Filtration
- Reabsorption
- Secretion
- Excretion
The fluid containing the filtrate enters the proximal convoluted tubule and is reabsorbed by the peritubular capillaries.
The loop of Henle is a U-shaped tube that consists of an ascending and descending limb. The primary function of the loop of Henle is the production of concentrated urine by rendering the interstitial fluid hypertonic.
The distal convoluted tubule produces energy for active transport to take place.
The collecting duct starts at the renal cortex and extends up to the medulla. The urine travelling through the collecting duct has a high concentration of sodium because of the distal convoluted tubule.

Note:
The Bowman’s Capsule and the glomerulus together form the renal corpuscle. The Bowman’s capsule gives rise to the renal tubule. The Bowman’s capsule and the renal tubule are connected with each other and are made up of epithelial cells with a lumen. There are a total of 1-2 million nephrons in a kidney.