Nephrone

A nephron is the basic functional unit of the kidney, responsible for filtering blood and maintaining homeostasis. There are approximately one million nephrons in each human kidney, each consisting of a renal corpuscle and a renal tubule. The renal corpuscle includes the glomerulus, a tuft of capillaries, and the Bowman's capsule, which encloses the glomerulus and collects the filtrate. The renal tubule consists of the proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, and collecting duct. The nephron functions through a process called ultrafiltration, where blood plasma is filtered through the glomerulus into the Bowman's capsule. The filtrate then passes through the renal tubule, where reabsorption and secretion processes occur, allowing the kidney to regulate the body's fluid and electrolyte balance, as well as excrete waste products such as urea and uric acid. The nephron's structure and function are crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being.