Structure:
A nephron is the filteration unit of the kidney. It consists of a tubule which is connected with collecting duct at one end and a cup- shaped structure at the other end. This filterate contains glucose, amino acids, urea, uric acid, salts and a major amount of water. The main components of the nephron are glomerulus, Bowman’s capsule and a long renal tubule.
Functioning of a nephron:
i. The blood enters the kidney through the renal artery, which branches into many capillaries associated with glomerulus.
ii. The water and solute are transferred to the nephron at Bowman’s capsule.
iii. In the proximal tubule, some substance such as amino acids, glucose, and salts are selectively absorbed and unwanted molecules are added in the urine.
iv. The filterate then moves down into the loop of Henle, where more water is absorbed.
v. From here, the filtrate moves upwards into the distal tubule and finally to the collecting duct. Collecting duct collects urine from many nephrons.
vi. The urine formed in each kidney enters a long tube called ureter. From ureter, it gets transported to the urinary bladder and then into the urethra
