What occurs in the ascending loop of Henle specifically?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for specific physiological processes that occur in the ascending loop of Henle, which is part of the nephron in the kidney and plays a crucial role in the concentration of urine and regulation of electrolytes.
Answer
Reabsorption of Na+, K+, and Cl- occurs in the ascending loop of Henle.
In the ascending loop of Henle, sodium, potassium, and chloride ions are actively reabsorbed. This segment is impermeable to water, which helps in generating a high osmolarity in the medulla. This is crucial for the kidney's ability to concentrate urine.
Answer for screen readers
In the ascending loop of Henle, sodium, potassium, and chloride ions are actively reabsorbed. This segment is impermeable to water, which helps in generating a high osmolarity in the medulla. This is crucial for the kidney's ability to concentrate urine.
More Information
The ascending limb of Henle's loop plays a crucial role in the kidney's ability to produce concentrated urine, as it reabsorbs ions but not water, leading to a dilute fluid. This also affects the osmotic gradient necessary for water reabsorption in the collecting duct.
Tips
A common mistake is to think that water is reabsorbed in the ascending loop, but it is actually impermeable to water.
Sources
- Thick Ascending Limb of the Loop of Henle - PMC - NCBI - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Henle Loop - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics - sciencedirect.com
- The Loop of Henle - News-Medical - news-medical.net
