YOU ARE LEARNING:
Structure of a Nephron
Structure of a Nephron
Nephrons are the basic functional unit of the kidney, the structure of which we will look at.
Name the organ that removes urea from the blood, and regulates water and ion concentration in the blood.
Which organ system are the kidneys part of?
Name the functional unit of the kidney. The kidney is made up of several of these and they perform important jobs, like filtration and reabsorption.
The kidneys form part of the urinary system, they help keep conditions stable such as water concentration in the blood. They are made up of several functioning units called nephrons. Nephrons filter the blood and reabsorb any useful substances. Finally, they produce urine.
Nephrons are the functional units of the kidneys
A nephron has a detailed structure that helps it perform its functions, for example filtration of the blood.
Name the first part of the nephron. It looks like a little cup shape.
Name the structure that the Bowman's capsule leads to.
After the first part of the tubule is a very clear loop, name this part of the nephron.
The loop of Henle leads to another wiggly tubule, then on to quite a straight tube with many branches. Name this structure.
How does your water, ions, urea and glucose travel to the kidneys?
The nephron is surrounded by capillaries (shown in purple).
Bowman's capsule is supplied with blood. There is a capillary network surrounding the whole nephron.
Name the many capillaries sitting in the Bowman's capsule.
What does the glomerulus lead to?
What is finally formed after the nephron has completed its job?
To recap
Blood is supplied to the nephron via the glomerulus, where it is filtered into the Bowman's capsule. The filtered blood travels along two tubules and a loop of Henle, a network of capillaries surrounds ready for reabsorbed nutrients. The nephron finishes with a collecting duct.
