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Nephron: Functions of Nephron, Primary Functions, Proximal Tubule

Functions of Nephron

The Primary Function

  • To remove all waste products including the solid wastes, and other excess water from the blood.
  • To convert blood into the urine, reabsorption, secretion, and excretion of numerous substances.
  • The small molecules are moved into the glomerular capsules as the blood passes through the glomerulus with high pressure.

Proximal Tubule

  • It is a part of the nephron that can be divided into an initial convoluted portion and a following straight (descending) portion.
  • Into the peritubular capillaries, fluid in the filtrate entering the proximal convoluted tubule is reabsorbed.
  • This also includes more than half of the filtered salt and water along with filtered organic solutes (primarily glucose and amino acids) .

Loop of Henle

  • It is a U-shaped tube that extends from the proximal tubule.
  • It also consists of a descending limb and an ascending limb.
  • It begins in the cortex, receiving filtrate from the proximal convoluted tubule.
    • Extends into the medulla as the descending limb.
    • Returns to the cortex as the ascending limb to empty into the distal convoluted tubule.

Distal Convoluted Tubule

  • For active transport to take place, cells lining the tubule have numerous mitochondria to produce enough energy (ATP) .
  • The endocrine system is responsible for regulating much of the ion transport taking place in the distal convoluted tubule.
  • The distal convoluted tubule reabsorbs more calcium and secretes more phosphate.

Connecting Tubule

It is the final segment of the tubule before it enters the collecting duct system.

Juxtaglomerular Apparatus

  • It is a specialized region associated with the nephron.
  • It produces and secretes into the circulation the enzyme renin (angiotensinogenase) .
  • The JGA is located between the thick ascending limb and the afferent arteriole.
  • The three components are the macula densa, juxtaglomerular cells, and extraglomerular mesangial cells.

Major Functions of the Kidney

  • It helps in the reabsorption of nutrients.
  • It also helps in regulating blood pressure.
  • Excretion of wastes from the body.
  • Removing excess fluid from the body.
  • Also helps in secreting hormones that help in the production of red blood cell, acid regulation, etc.

FAQs

Q 1. What are the two main parts of a nephron structure?

Answer:

The two main parts of a nephron structure are:

Renal tubule

Renal corpuscle

Q 2. what՚s the main function of a nephron?

Answer:

The main functions of a nephron are:

A nephron regulates the concentration of water and minerals such as sodium by filtering the blood and reabsorbing the important nutrients.

It is the structural and functional unit of the kidney.

Q 3. What is Bowman՚s capsule?

Answer:

  • Bowman՚s capsule is cup-shaped structure surrounding the renal corpuscle.
  • Bowman՚s capsule is also known as glomerulus that helps in blood filtration.

Q 4. what՚s a renal tubule?

Answer:

  • The renal tubule is the portion of the nephron containing the tubular fluid.
  • The renal tubule is filtered through the glomerulus.
  • The filtrate continues to the collecting duct system, after passing through the renal tubule.