Nephron Structure (WJEC GCSE Biology)

Nephron Structure

Higher Tier Only

• Each kidney contains around a million tiny structures called nephrons

• Nephrons start in the cortex of the kidney, loop down into the medulla and back up to the cortex

• Each nephron contains the following sections:

  • Bowman's capsule

  • Tubule

  • Collecting duct

• Each nephron is associated with blood vessels as follows:

  • A capillary knot sits within the Bowman's capsule

    • This knot is also known as the glomerulus

  • An arteriole carries blood into and away from the capillary knot

  • A capillary network is located alongside each nephron

Nephron structure diagram

Kidneys contain many nephrons, each associated with a series of small blood vessels