Nephron Structure: Glomerulus and Arterioles

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Questions and Answers

What is the structure that receives the afferent arteriole?

Proximal convoluted tubule

Glomerulus (correct)

Efferent arteriole

Bowman's capsule

What is the function of the glomerulus?

To reabsorb water from the filtrate

To secrete hormones that regulate blood pressure

To store urine until it is excreted

To filter out waste and excess ions from the blood (correct)

What is the name of the vessel that carries blood away from the glomerulus?

Proximal convoluted tubule

Afferent arteriole

Renal artery

Efferent arteriole (correct)

What is the name of the structure that collects the filtrate from the glomerulus?

Bowman's capsule Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about the kidneys of desert rats?

They are able to concentrate urine to conserve water Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the next part of the nephron after the glomerulus?

Proximal convoluted tubule Signup and view all the answers

Why is the proximal convoluted tubule given its name?

Because it is proximal to the glomerulus and is highly convoluted Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the nephron?

To filter waste and excess ions from the blood to form urine Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the efferent arteriole?

To branch off into smaller capillaries Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the proximal convoluted tubule?

To reabsorb ions and water Signup and view all the answers

What is the name given to the capillaries that surround the tubules?

Peritubular capillaries Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the oxygen in the blood as it passes through the peritubular capillaries?

It decreases Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of ions and nutrients is reabsorbed in the proximal convoluted tubule?

65% Signup and view all the answers

What is the final destination of the urine formed in the collecting tubule?

The renal calyces Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the structure that follows the proximal convoluted tubule?

Loop of Henle Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the peritubular capillaries in the nephron?

To reabsorb nutrients into the bloodstream Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the descending limb of the Loop of Henle?

To reabsorb water Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the blood vessel that takes the reabsorbed nutrients back to the rest of the body?

Renal vein Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the ascending limb of the Loop of Henle?

To reabsorb ions Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process that occurs in the Loop of Henle?

Countercurrent multiplication Signup and view all the answers

What drives the passive reabsorption of water in the descending limb of the Loop of Henle?

Active transport of ions Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the distal convoluted tubule?

Reabsorption of sodium and chloride ions Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the space around the tubule or nephron?

Interstitium Signup and view all the answers

Where does the reabsorption of ions occur in the Loop of Henle?

In the ascending limb Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the structure formed by the distal convoluted tubule and the glomerulus?

Juxtaglomerular apparatus Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of countercurrent multiplication in the Loop of Henle?

Increased reabsorption of water Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the collecting tubule or collecting duct?

Collection of leftover fluid from the nephron Signup and view all the answers

What is reabsorbed in the collecting tubule to maintain osmolarity in the medulla?

Urea Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process of reabsorbing urea to increase osmolarity in the medulla?

Urea recycling Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the distal convoluted tubule and the collecting duct?

One collecting duct receives fluid from multiple DCTs Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the efferent arteriole after it reabsorbs all the necessary substances?

It turns into a capillary and then a venule Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the proximal convoluted tubule and the distal convoluted tubule?

The PCT is closer to the glomerulus than the DCT Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Structure and Function of Nephrons

The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney, consisting of the glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, and collecting duct.

Glomerulus and Bowman's Capsule

The glomerulus receives an afferent arteriole, and its function is to filter out a ton of fluid from the blood into Bowman's capsule.
Bowman's capsule is the first part of the nephron to collect fluid that will be filtered to become urine.

Proximal Convoluted Tubule

The proximal convoluted tubule is the next part of the nephron, located close to the glomerulus, and is responsible for reabsorbing ions, amino acids, glucose, and water.
It reabsorbs about 65% of all important nutrients, the most of anywhere else in the nephron.

Loop of Henle

The loop of Henle is a U-shaped structure that descends deep into the kidney and then ascends back up again.
It consists of two limbs: the descending limb, which reabsorbs water, and the ascending limb, which reabsorbs ions like sodium, chloride, and potassium.
The loop of Henle is involved in countercurrent multiplication, a process that allows the kidney to reabsorb large amounts of water and ions.

Distal Convoluted Tubule

The distal convoluted tubule is responsible for the reabsorption of other ions, like sodium and chloride, and helps to pick up more important nutrients that we don't want to excrete.
It forms a "kiss" with the glomerulus, which is part of the juxtaglomerular apparatus, involved in controlling blood pressure.

Collecting Duct and Urea Recycling

The collecting duct, or collecting tubule, collects leftover fluid from the distal convoluted tubule and reabsorbs water and urea.
Urea is reabsorbed to maintain osmolarity in the medulla, which helps drive water reabsorption in the loop of Henle.

Peritubular Capillaries and Renal Vein

The efferent arteriole gives rise to peritubular capillaries, which collect reabsorbed nutrients and transport them back into the bloodstream.
The peritubular capillaries eventually merge to form the renal vein, which carries the reabsorbed nutrients back to the rest of the body.
The remaining fluid in the collecting duct becomes urine, which flows into the renal calyces and is excreted.

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Description

This quiz is about the structure of the nephron, specifically the glomerulus and its associated arterioles. Learn about the afferent and efferent arterioles and their roles in the nephron.