Describe the structure and functioning of nephrons.

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(N/A) Nephrons are the basic filtering units of kidneys. Each kidney possesses a large number of nephrons,approximately $1-1.5$ million. The main components of the nephron are the glomerulus,Bowman's capsule,and a long renal tubule.
Functioning of a nephron:
$1$. The blood enters the kidney through the renal artery,which branches into many capillaries associated with the glomerulus.
$2$. The water and solutes are transferred to the nephron at Bowman's capsule.
$3$. In the proximal tubule,some substances such as amino acids,glucose,and salts are selectively reabsorbed,and unwanted molecules are added to the urine.
$4$. The filtrate then moves down into the loop of Henle,where more water is absorbed.
$5$. From here,the filtrate moves upwards into the distal tubule and finally to the collecting duct. The collecting duct collects urine from many nephrons.
$6$. The urine formed in each kidney enters a long tube called the ureter. From the ureter,it is transported to the urinary bladder and then into the urethra.

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Where do the following processes take place?
$(i)$ Filtration of blood
$(ii)$ Reabsorption of glucose and water
$(iii)$ Secretion of salts to make final filtrate
$(iv)$ Collection of the final filtrate

The volume of glomerular filtrate produced is $180 \, L$ per day,but the volume of urine excreted is just $1-2 \, L$. Give a suitable reason for this statement.

Describe the process of urine formation in kidneys.

$(a)$ Draw the structure of a nephron and label the following parts on it:
$(i)$ Renal artery
$(ii)$ Bowman's capsule
$(iii)$ Glomerulus
$(iv)$ Collecting duct
$(b)$ Name four substances in the initial filtrate which are selectively reabsorbed as the filtrate flows along the tubule.

Kidneys are located in the thoracic cavity, one on either side of the backbone.

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