What are Nephrons ?

The nephron has a cup-like capsule called Bowman’s capsule at its upper end and the lower end is a tube-like structure called tubule.
The Bowman’s capsule and the tubule taken together constitute a nephron.
Blood at high pressure flows into these tubules by blood capillaries called glomerulus, which are surrounded by Bowman’s capsule.
This cup-shaped structure is followed by a long tubular structure, which is convoluted and twisted. Read More …

9 Important Functions Of Nephrons

Nephrons helps the body to get rid of the unwanted components.
Nephrons also control the blood volume, pressure of blood. As blood pressure gives way to a number of complications, it is important to regulate it.
It regulates the level of metabolites and electrolytes
The useful substances like glucose, amino acids, salts and a major amount of water are selectively reabsorbed by the tubular part of nephron..
Nephron also helps in the maintenance of blood pH.
Glomerulus filters the blood passing through it. In the glomerulus, blood plasma and dissolved substances (smaller than most proteins) get filtered into the glomerular capsule
It also ensures to remove only harmful substances from the body that includes nitrogenous materials.
Some substances like K* are actively secreted into the urine through the tubule.
The collecting duct collects the urine and passes it to the ureter.