STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF NEPHRON

 

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF NEPHRON

NEPHRON:- A nephron is the basic unit of kidney.

A nephron is used:-

·        Separate to water, ions and small molecules from the blood,

·        Filter out wastes and toxins, and return needed molecules to the blood.

Nephron is long tube like condensed structure. It contains cup like structure called Bowman’s capsule that collect and filter the blood. Nephron mainly consists following parts.

 

Ø Renal Tubule-The renal tubule is a long and convoluted structure that can be divided into three parts based on function.

• The first part is called the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) due to its proximity to the glomerulus.
• The second part is called the nephritic loop because it forms a loop (with descending and ascending limbs) that goes through the renal medulla.
• The third part of the renal tubule is called the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) and this part is also restricted to the renal cortex.

 

Ø Renal Corpuscle-The renal corpuscle consists of a glomerulus surrounded by a Bowman’s capsule.

The Bowman’s capsule is divided into three layers:

1.     Outer Parietal layer: It is made up of epithelial cells with minute pores.

2.     Middle Basement membrane: This layer is selectively permeable.

3.     Inner Visceral Layer: It consists of large nucleated cells called podocytes which bear finger-like projections called podocel.

FUNCTION OF NEPHRON

v To remove extra water.

v To remove all toxic chemical from our body like ammonia, uric acid and etc.

v Return substances like sodium, potassium or phosphorus whenever any of these substances run low in your body.