Urine Formation three major processes 1.

Glomerular Filtration: involves the movement of fluids

from the glomerulus into the Bowmans capsule

2. Tubular Reabsorption: the movement of fluids from the

nephron into the extracellular fluid and eventually the capillary net.

3. Tubular Secretion: the selective transport of fluids from

the capillary net into the nephron (the distal tube).

Site 1: Bowmans Capsule and Glomerulus - Site of Glomerular filtration Dissolved solutes (water, urea, glucose, amino acids and ions) pass through walls of glomerulus into the Bowmans capsule by diffusion (high pressure to low pressure) (Nephric filtrate) Large blood components (RBC, WBC, proteins) cannot filter through ~ 190 L of filtrate is formed every 24 hours by both kidneys

Site 2: Proximal Tubule Initial site of Tubular Reabsorption Selective reabsorption of nutrients from filtrate back into the blood by active and passive transport Water, ions, glucose, amino acids are returned to the bloodstream pH is controlled by secretion of H+ and reabsorption of HCO3+ (bicarbonate ions) Foreign molecules removed by kidney

 Na+ ions are transported out of the tubule by active transport, through carrier molecules. Cl- ions and HCO3- ions follow by charge attraction. As these solutes move out of the tubule, they create an osmotic gradient and water moves out of the tubule and back into the blood, through osmosis. About 80-85% of the water in the filtrate is reabsorbed in the proximal tubule.

 Glucose and amino acids attach to carrier molecules and are transported out by active transport.

This requires a lot of energy so there are many mitochondria in the cells of the proximal tubule.
There is a limit to the amount of sodium, glucose and amino acids that can be reabsorbed by the carrier molecules: the threshold limit. When this limit is reached, these substances are excreted in the urine.

 The descending loop of Henle is permeable to water. Water is reabsorbed into the peritubular capillaries by osmosis. The filtrate decreases in volume,but increases in osmotic concentration. Salt (NaCl) becomes concentrated in the filtrate as the loop penetrates the inner medulla of the kidney.

Site 3: The loop of Henle

Site 4: Ascending Loop of Henle The ascending loop of Henle is permeable to salt but not to water. Sodium is transported out of the filtrate and chlorine follows by charge attraction. The volume of the filtrate does not change, but the concentration decreases. The peritubular capillaries ensure a rich blood supply for reabsorption

Site 5: The Distal Convoluted Tubule and Tubular Secretion

More sodium is reclaimed by active transport, and still more water follows by osmosis. Although 97% of the sodium has already been removed, it is the last 3% that determines the final balance of sodium. This determines the water content and blood pressure in the body. The reabsorption of sodium in the distal tubule and the collecting tubules is closely regulated, chiefly by the action of the hormone aldosterone. Waste (H+, K+, ammonium ions) are actively secreted into the tubule (from blood into the nephron). This helps to regulate pH.

Site 6: The Collecting Duct.

The filtrate now flows into the collecting duct, which gathers fluid from many nephrons. Urine flows from the collecting ducts into the renal pelvis to the ureters and into the bladder. Water regulation occurs here. The plasma membranes of the cells of the distal tubule and the collecting duct have transmembrane channels made of a protein called aquaporin. When these channels are open, water can pass through very quickly. These water channels are responsive to levels of antidiuretic hormone (ADH).