Nephron

A nephron is the basic structural and functional unit of the kidney. They are the microscopic structure composed of a renal corpuscle and a renal tubule.

Structure of Nephron
o The mammalian nephron is a long tube-like structure, its length varying from 35–55 mm long. At one end, the tube is closed, folded and expanded, into a double-walled, cuplike structure called the Bowman‘s capsule or renal corpuscular capsule, which encloses a cluster of microscopic blood vessels called the glomerulus. This capsule and glomerulus together constitute the renal corpuscle.

Functions of Nephron
o The primary function of the nephron is removing all waste products including the solid wastes, and other excess water from the blood, converting blood into urine, reabsorption, secretion, and excretion of numerous substances.
o As the blood passes through the glomerulus with high pressure, the small molecules are moved into the glomerular capsules and travel through a winding series of tubules.
o The cell present in each tube absorbs different molecules excluding the glucose, water, and other beneficial molecules which are called ass ultrafiltrate. As the ultrafiltrate molecules travel down the tubules they become more and more hypertonic, which results in more amount of water to be extracted from the ultrafiltrate before it exits the nephrons.
o The blood surrounding the nephron travels back into the body through the renal blood vessels, which are free of toxins and other excess substances. The obtained ultrafiltrate is urine, which travels down via the collecting duct to the bladder, where it will be stored and released through the urethra.