AEMCA Practice Exam

What are the two main components that make up a nephron?

1. Renal tubule and renal pelvis

2. Glomerulus and renal tubule

3. Afferent arteriole and peritubular capillaries

4. Renal cortex and medulla

The correct answer is: Glomerulus and renal tubule

The nephron is the fundamental structural and functional unit of the kidney, and it consists primarily of two main components: the glomerulus and the renal tubule. The glomerulus is a network of capillaries where the process of filtration begins. Blood enters the glomerulus, and due to the pressure created by the heart, water, ions, and small molecules are filtered out of the blood and gather in the Bowman's capsule, which is part of the renal tubule. This filtration process is crucial as it initiates the formation of urine by allowing the kidneys to remove waste products and excess substances from the blood. Following filtration, the renal tubule extends from the Bowman's capsule and is responsible for the reabsorption and secretion processes that further refine the filtrate into urine. The renal tubule essentially consists of several segments, including the proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, and collecting duct, which together play a vital role in maintaining the body's fluid and electrolyte balance. Understanding the specific roles of the glomerulus and renal tubule highlights the nephron's intricate function in kidney health and homeostasis. Other options, such as the renal pelvis or various vascular components, are related to