Why is the glomerulus a good filter?

Answer 1

The kidney works by filtering out the small molecules and initially retaining the larger red blood cells then actively transporting ions like sodium, calcium and potassium, and retrieving proteins and sugars back into the blood stream. This is advantageous because the blood levels set the amount of each of the smaller compounds that are returned until the blood reaches the right concentration for each molecule.

Answer 2

The glomerulus is a good filter because it has specialized cells called podocytes, which form filtration slits that prevent large molecules like proteins from passing through. It also has a high blood pressure in the glomerular capillaries, which helps push fluid and small solutes out of the bloodstream and into the renal tubules for further processing. Additionally, the glomerulus has a large surface area due to its complex network of blood vessels, allowing for efficient filtration of waste and toxins.