Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
In which part of the nephron loop is water primarily reabsorbed?
A
Proximal convoluted tubule
B
Distal convoluted tubule
C
Ascending limb
D
Descending limb
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of the nephron, which is the functional unit of the kidney. It consists of several parts: the proximal convoluted tubule, the loop of Henle (which includes the descending and ascending limbs), the distal convoluted tubule, and the collecting duct.
Recognize the role of each part of the nephron in the process of urine formation. The proximal convoluted tubule is primarily responsible for the reabsorption of nutrients, ions, and water.
Focus on the loop of Henle, which is divided into two limbs: the descending limb and the ascending limb. Each limb has distinct functions in the reabsorption process.
Identify the descending limb of the loop of Henle as the segment where water is primarily reabsorbed. This occurs because the descending limb is permeable to water but not to solutes, allowing water to move out of the nephron by osmosis into the surrounding hypertonic medullary interstitium.
Contrast this with the ascending limb, which is impermeable to water but actively transports ions out of the nephron, contributing to the concentration gradient in the medulla that facilitates water reabsorption in the descending limb.