Question

How does the nephron work?

Answer 1

Nephron is functional unit of kidney: nephrons are collectively responsible for producing urine for excretion. Main excretory product present in urine is urea.

Explanation:

Urine formation by nephron takes place in three ways:

1. Nephron filters urea from blood stream. The process is called ultrafiltration, but along with urea many useful components of blood appear in the filtrate.
2. Such useful materials like glucose, amino acids, ions, water, etc are selectively reabsorbed from filtrate by specific parts of nephron. Reabsorption of water is partly controlled by posterior pituitary hormone vasopressin.
3. Free hydrogen ions are also added to filtrate by tubular secretion of nephron (which helps in maintaining blood pH). This results in making urine acidic.

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