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The structure and function of the epithelial cells lining the lumen change during the course of the nephron, and have segments named by their location and which reflects their different functions. Fig.4) Diagram outlining movement of ions in nephron, with the collecting ducts on the right.
The main functions of the urinary system and its components are to: Regulate blood volume and composition (e.g. sodium, potassium and calcium) Regulate blood pressure. Regulate pH homeostasis of the blood. Contributes to the production of red blood cells by the kidney. Helps synthesize calcitriol (the active form of Vitamin D).
In mice, the kidneys are approximately 1 cm (0.4 in) long, weighing 400 mg, with 16,000 nephrons, while in the killer whale, the kidney length exceeds 25 cm (10 in), the mass is approximately 4.5 kg (10 lb), with the number of nephrons of the order of 10,000,000. At the same time, the killer whale kidneys are reniculate, with each renicule ...
The kidney's ability to perform many of its functions depends on the three fundamental functions of filtration, reabsorption, and secretion, whose sum is called renal clearance or renal excretion. That is: Urinary excretion rate = Filtration rate – Reabsorption rate + Secretion rate [1]
The juxtaglomerular apparatus (also known as the juxtaglomerular complex) is a structure in the kidney that regulates the function of each nephron, the functional units of the kidney. The juxtaglomerular apparatus is named because it is next to (juxta- [ 1 ] ) the glomerulus .
Bowman's capsule (or the Bowman capsule, capsula glomeruli, or glomerular capsule) is a cup-like sac at the beginning of the tubular component of a nephron in the mammalian kidney that performs the first step in the filtration of blood to form urine. A glomerulus is enclosed in the sac. Fluids from blood in the glomerulus are collected in the ...
Each adult human kidney contains around 1 million nephrons, while a mouse kidney contains only about 12,500 nephrons. The kidneys also carry out functions independent of the nephrons. For example, they convert a precursor of vitamin D to its active form, calcitriol; and synthesize the hormones erythropoietin and renin.
Avian kidneys combine so called reptilian-type nephrons, without the loop of Henle, and mammalian-type nephrons, with the loop of Henle. [23] Most nephrons are reptilian-type. [ 84 ] The loop of Henle of birds is similar to that of mammals, the main difference is that the nephron of birds has only a short loop of Henle. [ 77 ]