Nephron Structure (Cambridge (CIE) A Level Biology)

Nephron Structure

• Each kidney contains thousands of tiny tubes, known as nephrons

• The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney – the nephrons are responsible for the formation of urine

The structure of a nephron diagram

The location and structure of a nephron within the kidney across the cortex and the medulla

• There is also a network of blood vessels associated with each nephron:

  • Within the Bowman’s capsule of each nephron is a structure known as the glomerulus

  • Each glomerulus is supplied with blood by an afferent arteriole (which carries blood from the renal artery)

  • The capillaries of the glomerulus rejoin to form an efferent arteriole

  • Blood then flows from the efferent arteriole into a network of capillaries that run closely alongside the rest of the nephron

  • Blood from these capillaries eventually flows into the renal vein

The blood vessels of the nephron

The blood supply associated with a nephron