Nephron filtration flashcards

What is a nephron?

The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney, responsible for filtering blood and producing urine.

True or false: Nephrons are found in the liver.

False, because nephrons are exclusive to the kidneys.

Fill in the blank: The nephron consists of a renal corpuscle and a ________ tubule.

renal tubule

What is the function of the glomerulus?

The glomerulus filters blood, allowing water, salts, and small molecules to enter the Bowman’s capsule.

Difference between glomerular filtration and tubular reabsorption?

Glomerular filtration is the initial filtering of blood; tubular reabsorption is the recovery of water and solutes from filtrate.

True or false: Filtration rate decreases with age.

True, because kidney function typically declines with age.

What is the role of the loop of Henle?

The loop of Henle concentrates urine and regulates water and salt balance in the body.

Which part of the nephron reabsorbs the most water?

The proximal convoluted tubule reabsorbs about 65-70% of the filtered water.

What happens in the distal convoluted tubule?

The distal convoluted tubule further fine-tunes water and electrolyte reabsorption under hormonal control.

Define renal threshold.

Renal threshold is the plasma concentration at which a substance begins to appear in urine.

What is the filtration fraction?

The filtration fraction is the ratio of the glomerular filtration rate to the renal plasma flow.

What is the effect of aldosterone on nephron function?

Aldosterone increases sodium reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct.

True or false: All substances are freely filtered at the glomerulus.

False, because large molecules like proteins are typically too big to pass through.

Describe the role of ADH.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) increases water reabsorption in the collecting duct, concentrating urine.