Describe the structure and functioning of nephrons.

Explanation

Nephrons are the basic filtering units of kidneys. Each kidney possesses large number of nephrons, approximately 1-1.5 million. The main components of the nephron are glomerulus, Bowman.s capsule and a long renal tubule.

Functioning of a nephron :
• The blood enters the kidney through the renal artery, which branches into many capillaries associated with glomerulus.
• The water and solute are transferred to the nephron at Bowman.s capsule.
• In the proximal tabule, some tubule, some substances such as amino acids, glucose, and salts are selectively, reabrosbed and unwanted molecules are added in the urine.
• The filtrate then moves down into the loop where more water is obsorbed.
• Form here, the filterate moves upwards into the distal tubule and finally to the collecting duct. Collecting duct collects urine from many nephrons.
• The urine formed in each kidney enters a long tube called ureter. From ureter it gets transported to urinary bladder and then into the urethra.