What do you think the difference could be in the kind of nephron present in a desert rat and a beaver?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking to compare and contrast the types of nephrons found in a desert rat and a beaver, focusing on how these adaptations relate to their different habitats and water conservation needs.
Answer
Desert rats have longer loops of Henle for water conservation, while beavers have shorter loops.
The key difference is that desert rats have longer loops of Henle in their nephrons, allowing for more efficient water reabsorption and highly concentrated urine. In contrast, beavers have shorter nephron loops as they do not need to conserve water as efficiently due to their aquatic environment.
Answer for screen readers
The key difference is that desert rats have longer loops of Henle in their nephrons, allowing for more efficient water reabsorption and highly concentrated urine. In contrast, beavers have shorter nephron loops as they do not need to conserve water as efficiently due to their aquatic environment.
More Information
Desert rats and other desert mammals have evolved to survive in arid environments by developing highly efficient kidneys. This allows them to conserve water by producing concentrated urine, which is vital for surviving in areas with limited water availability.
Tips
A common mistake is assuming all mammals have similar nephron structures without considering the environmental adaptations necessary for their survival.
Sources
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