Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

42. Osmoregulation and Excretion

Osmoregulation and Excretion

General Biology

42. Osmoregulation and Excretion

Osmoregulation and Excretion

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1:45 minutes

Problem 4

Textbook Question

In each nephron of the kidney, the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule
a. Filter the blood and capture the filtrate.
b. Reabsorb water into the blood.
c. Break down harmful toxins and poisons.
d. Refine and concentrate the urine for excretion.

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the structure and function of the nephron, which is the functional unit of the kidney. The nephron is responsible for filtering blood, reabsorbing essential substances, and excreting waste products.

Focus on the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule, which are the initial components of the nephron. The glomerulus is a network of capillaries, and Bowman's capsule is a cup-shaped structure surrounding the glomerulus.

Learn the process of filtration: Blood enters the glomerulus under pressure, and small molecules like water, ions, glucose, and waste products are filtered out of the blood into Bowman's capsule. Larger molecules like proteins and blood cells remain in the bloodstream.

Clarify that the filtrate collected in Bowman's capsule is the starting point for further processing in the nephron, including reabsorption and secretion, but the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule themselves do not reabsorb water or refine urine.

Eliminate incorrect options by understanding that the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule are specifically involved in filtration, not toxin breakdown, water reabsorption, or urine concentration. This aligns with option 'a' as the correct description of their function.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Nephron Structure

The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney, consisting of a glomerulus and Bowman's capsule, among other components. The glomerulus is a network of capillaries that filters blood, while Bowman's capsule surrounds it, collecting the filtrate. This structure is essential for the initial stage of urine formation.

Filtration Process

Filtration in the nephron occurs when blood enters the glomerulus, where pressure forces water, ions, and small molecules through the capillary walls into Bowman's capsule. This process separates waste products from the blood, creating a filtrate that will undergo further processing in the nephron.

Reabsorption and Secretion

After filtration, the nephron reabsorbs essential substances like water, glucose, and ions back into the bloodstream, while secreting additional waste products into the filtrate. This process is crucial for maintaining homeostasis and ensuring that valuable nutrients are not lost in urine.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

Which of the following animals generally has the lowest volume of urine production?

a. Vampire bat

b. Salmon in fresh water

c. Marine bony fish

d. Freshwater flatworm

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Textbook Question

What effect does antidiuretic hormone (ADH) have on the nephron?

a. It increases the water permeability of the descending limb of the loop of Henle.

b. It decreases the water permeability of the descending limb of the loop of Henle.

c. It increases the water permeability of the collecting duct.

d. It decreases the water permeability of the collecting duct.

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Textbook Question

The high osmolarity of the renal medulla is maintained by which of the following?

a. Active transport of salt from the upper region of the descending limb.

b. The loose packing of juxtamedullary nephrons.

c. Diffusion of urea into the collecting duct.

d. Diffusion of salt from the descending limb of the loop of Henle.

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Textbook Question

The high osmolarity of the renal medulla is maintained by all of the following except

a. Active transport of salt from the upper region of the ascending limb.

b. The spatial arrangement of juxtamedullary nephrons.

c. Diffusion of urea from the collecting duct.

d. Diffusion of salt from the descending limb of the loop of Henle.

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Textbook Question

In Gila monsters, the organ in which water from urine is reabsorbed into the bloodstream is the___________. .

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Textbook Question

In which of the following species should natural selection favor the highest proportion of juxtamedullary nephrons?

a. A river otter

b. A mouse species living in a temperate broadleaf forest

c. A mouse species living in a desert

d. A beaver

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Textbook Question

As filtrate passes through the loop of Henle, salt is reabsorbed and concentrated in the interstitial fluid of the medulla. This high solute concentration in the medulla enables nephrons to

a. Excrete the maximum amount of salt.

b. Neutralize toxins that might be found in the kidney.

c. Excrete a large amount of water.

d. Reabsorb water from the filtrate very efficiently.

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Textbook Question

Compare and contrast the types of nitrogenous wastes excreted by animals. Identify which type can be excreted with the least water, which is most toxic, and which waste is excreted by bony fishes, by mammals, and by insects. Which type would you expect to be produced by embryos inside eggs laid on land?

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In each nephron of the kidney, the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule a. Filter the blood and capture the filtrate. b. Reabsorb water into the blood. c. Break down harmful toxins and poisons. d. Refine and concentrate the urine for excretion.

Key Concepts

Nephron Structure

Filtration Process

Reabsorption and Secretion

Watch next

In each nephron of the kidney, the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule
a. Filter the blood and capture the filtrate.
b. Reabsorb water into the blood.
c. Break down harmful toxins and poisons.
d. Refine and concentrate the urine for excretion.