Final answer:
The nephron is the fundamental functional unit of the kidney, performing filtration, reabsorption, and secretion to produce urine. It comprises several components including the renal corpuscle and tubules and plays a role in maintaining homeostasis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nephron is the fundamental functional unit of the kidney, responsible for the crucial process of filtering blood and generating urine. Each nephron consists of the renal corpuscle, proximal and distal convoluted tubules, and the loops of Henle. The initial step in urine formation begins when the filtrate enters the glomerulus, then progresses to the proximal convoluted tubule where it is modified by osmosis and active transport. The filtrate travels through the loop of Henle, the distal convoluted tubule, and finally to the collecting ducts, which are situated in the renal medulla. Nephrons conduct three principal functions: glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption, and tubular secretion, all contributing to urine formation.
Nephrons work meticulously to balance plasma to homeostatic set points and excrete potential toxins. This is performed through the process where the simple filtrate from the blood undergoes numerous changes in different segments of the nephron to become urine. Beyond producing urine, nephrons also control blood pressure via renin production, stimulate red blood cell production by secreting erythropoietin (EPO), and promote calcium absorption through the synthesis of the active form of vitamin D.