Describe the structural and functional unit of a kidney?for 10marks
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Answer:
The nephron is the microscopic structural and functional unit of the kidney. It is composed of a renal corpuscle and a renal tubule. The renal corpuscle consists of a tuft of capillaries called a glomerulus and an encompassing Bowman's capsule. ... A healthy adult has 1 to 1.5 million nephrons in each kidney.
Answer:
Nephron.
It is the structural and functional unit of kidney. Kidneys are mainly composed of over one million nephrons and an extensive network of blood vessels and capillaries. Nephrons are divided in to two types.
- Cortical nephrons
- Juxtamedullary nephrons
A nephron comprises a renal corpuscle, a renal tubule, and the associated capillary network which originates from the cortical radiate arteries.
Almost 85% of nephrons are cortical nephrons, deep in the renal cortex, the remaining 15% are juxtamedullary nephrons, which lie in the renal cortex close to the renal medulla.
The renal corpuscle, is composed of a network of capillaries known as the Glomerulus, as well as a cup-shaped chamber that surrounds it also called as the glomerular or Bowman's capsule.
The renal tubule is a long, which emerges from the glomerulus. It can be divided into three parts based on function.
The first part is called the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT).
The second part is called the Loop of Henle or nephritic loop.
The third part of the renal tubule is called the distal convoluted tubule (DCT).
This last part of the nephron connects with and empties its filtrate into collecting ducts that line the medullary pyramids.