What is the role of the nephron in kidney function?

The nephron is responsible for filtering blood and producing urine in the kidney.

The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney, responsible for filtering blood and producing urine. Each kidney contains millions of nephrons, which work together to maintain the body's fluid and electrolyte balance.

The nephron consists of several structures, including the glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, proximal tubule, loop of Henle, distal tubule, and collecting duct. Blood enters the nephron through the glomerulus, where it is filtered to remove waste products and excess water. The filtered fluid then enters Bowman's capsule, which surrounds the glomerulus and collects the filtrate.

From Bowman's capsule, the filtrate flows through the proximal tubule, where nutrients and water are reabsorbed back into the bloodstream. The remaining fluid then moves through the loop of Henle, where water and electrolytes are further regulated. The distal tubule and collecting duct then work together to fine-tune the composition of the urine, reabsorbing or secreting ions as needed to maintain balance.

Overall, the nephron plays a crucial role in kidney function, filtering blood and regulating fluid and electrolyte balance. Dysfunction of the nephron can lead to various kidney diseases, such as nephritis and renal failure.