What is the functional unit of the kidney that consists of the glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, and distal convoluted tubule?

What is the functional unit of the kidney that consists of the glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, and distal convoluted tubule?

• A. Renal corpuscle
• B. Nephron
• C. Glomerulus
• D. Calyx

Answer: (B)

The nephron is the kidney’s functional unit. It handles filtration and the tubular processing that turns filtrate into urine. Blood is filtered in the glomerulus with filtrate collected by Bowman's capsule, then the filtrate passes through the proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, and distal convoluted tubule where reabsorption and secretion fine-tune the composition of the urine. This combination of filtration plus the sequential tubular segments is what makes the nephron the correct answer. The renal corpuscle is only the initial filtration unit (glomerulus plus Bowman's capsule), the glomerulus alone is just the filtration tuft, and the calyx is a drainage area for urine, not the functional unit. Collecting ducts sit downstream after the distal tubule and are not considered part of the nephron proper.

The nephron is the kidney’s functional unit. It handles filtration and the tubular processing that turns filtrate into urine. Blood is filtered in the glomerulus with filtrate collected by Bowman's capsule, then the filtrate passes through the proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, and distal convoluted tubule where reabsorption and secretion fine-tune the composition of the urine. This combination of filtration plus the sequential tubular segments is what makes the nephron the correct answer. The renal corpuscle is only the initial filtration unit (glomerulus plus Bowman's capsule), the glomerulus alone is just the filtration tuft, and the calyx is a drainage area for urine, not the functional unit. Collecting ducts sit downstream after the distal tubule and are not considered part of the nephron proper.