Question

Write a short note on nephrons.

Answer 1

Nephrons:

1. Nephrons are minute structural and functional units of the kidney.
2. The structure removes waste and excess substances from the blood by producing urine.
3. Regulates the concentration of water and minerals by filtering the blood.

Structure of nephron:

1. The nephron is a long tube-like structure.
2. At one end, a cuplike structure called Bowman's capsule is present.
3. This capsule encloses a cluster of blood vessels called the glomerulus.
4. Bowman's capsule and glomerulus together form renal corpuscle.
5. Renal tubules are involved in reabsorption without affecting the electrolyte balance.
6. Renal tubule can be divided into three parts:

1. First part ( Proximal convoluted tubule) - Maintains the electrolyte and acid-base balance of body fluids.
2. Second part (Loop of Henle) - Reabsorption is limited in this segment. it involves in the recovery of water and sodium chloride from urine.
3. Third part ( Distal convoluted tubule) - It maintains the pH and sodium-potassium level in blood cells.