Question
What are the two important functions that a nephron of kidney performs?
Solution
Function: The nephron performs two functions:
(i) Filtration: In the glumerulus, the blood plasma called serum gets filtered under pressure. The filterate contains water, glucose, salts and nitrogen containing compounds. It gets collected in the Bowman’s capsule. The blood cells and large molecules like proteins remain in the blood. From Bowman’s capsule the filterate passes into nephron long tubule.
(ii) Selective reabsorption: From the filterate, filtered by the glomerulus, useful substances like glucose, salts, vitamins, water etc. are reabsorbed by the tubule and passed back into the blood.
The remaining filterate forms the urine and taken to urethera. The urethera carries urine to urinary bladder for disposal.
