The number of nephrons in a kidney is equal to

Options

A. the number of Bowman's capsules
B. the sum of Bowman's capsules and Malpighian bodies
C. The sum of Bowman's capsules and glomeruli
D. double the number of Bowman's capsules.

Explanation

To solve the question regarding the number of nephrons in a kidney, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Nephrons**:
- The nephron is the structural and functional unit of the kidney. Each kidney contains a large number of nephrons that are responsible for filtering blood and producing urine.

2. **Approximate Number of Nephrons**:
- It is widely accepted that there are approximately 1 million nephrons in each human kidney. This number can vary slightly among individuals, but 1 million is a good estimate.

3. **Components of Nephrons**:
- Each nephron consists of two main components:
- **Glomerulus**: A tuft of capillaries where blood filtration occurs.
- **Renal Tubule**: This includes the Bowman's capsule, which encases the glomerulus and collects the filtrate.

4. **Definition of Malpighian Tubules**:
- The combination of the glomerulus and the renal tubule (Bowman's capsule) is referred to as the Malpighian tubule. This terminology emphasizes the functional unit of the nephron.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the number of nephrons in a kidney is approximately 1 million.

### Final Answer:
The number of nephrons in a kidney is approximately **1 million**.

---