The nephron does all the work of the Urinary System. They are tiny filtered structures found in the kidneys that removes wastes from blood and produces urine.
Nephrons. This includes the glomerulus where the blood stream encounters a connective tissue filter, the loop of Henle where the filtrate is concentrated and salts are exchanged and the collecting duct into which urine is collected.
The completion of urine formation occurs in the kidneys, specifically within the nephrons. Nephrons filter blood to remove waste and excess substances, producing urine. After formation, urine is collected in the renal pelvis, then transported to the bladder via the ureters for storage before excretion.
Nephrons discharge their urine at the collecting ducts, which are part of the renal system. Once urine is produced in the nephron's renal tubules, it flows into the collecting ducts where it is further concentrated and transported to the renal pelvis. From the renal pelvis, urine then moves into the ureters and eventually to the bladder for storage before excretion.
The neurohypophyseal secretion of ADH (antidiuretic hormone) promotes water reabsorption in the kidneys, leading to the formation of concentrated urine. ADH acts on the collecting ducts of the nephrons in the kidneys to increase their permeability to water, allowing the body to conserve water and produce concentrated urine.
Juxtamedullary nephrons are involved in the concentration of urine by creating a concentration gradient in the kidney medulla. They have longer loops of Henle that extend deep into the medulla, allowing for increased reabsorption of water and production of concentrated urine. These nephrons play a crucial role in maintaining water balance and conserving body fluids.
Cortical nephrons have a shorter loop of Henle primarily because they are located in the outer region of the kidney cortex, where the medullary concentration gradient is less pronounced. Their shorter loops allow for efficient filtration and reabsorption of water and solutes in the renal cortex, where most of the nephron's functions occur. This design is suited for the regulation of blood composition rather than for producing highly concentrated urine, which is more characteristic of juxtamedullary nephrons with longer loops.
nephrons
A bilby has very concentrated urine as an adaptation to its arid habitat, allowing it to conserve water efficiently. This ability is crucial for survival in environments where water is scarce, as it enables the bilby to minimize water loss through excretion. By producing concentrated urine, bilbies can maintain hydration and thrive in their dry surroundings.
The filtering units responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body are the kidneys. They filter waste and excess substances from the blood to create urine, which helps regulate the body's fluid balance, electrolyte levels, and pH. The kidneys also play a role in regulating blood pressure and producing hormones that control various bodily functions.
The chief function of nephrons is to regulate the concentration of water and soluble substances (electrolytes) by filtering the blood, reabsorbing what is needed and excreting the rest as urine.
nephrons
filtration