Final answer:
A nephron is the functional unit of the kidney, essential for filtering blood and forming urine, comprised of the renal corpuscle, renal tubule, and an associated capillary network.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney, which plays a crucial role in filtering blood and creating urine. It consists of three main parts: the renal corpuscle, the renal tubule, and an associated capillary network. The nephrons are responsible for the removal of waste products from the blood, principally urea and uric acid, which are byproducts of metabolism. They achieve this through a complex process of filtering and reabsorbing substances from the blood. Each kidney contains over a million nephrons, which give the kidney its granular appearance when viewed in cross-section.
There are two main types of nephrons found within the kidney: cortical nephrons, which make up 85 percent and are located deep in the renal cortex, and juxtamedullary nephrons, which comprise 15 percent and are located close to the renal medulla. These structures illustrate the intricate system that each kidney utilizes to maintain the body's fluid and electrolyte balance while removing wastes.The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney, which actively filters blood and generates urine. It is made up of the renal corpuscle and renal tubule. There are two types of nephrons: cortical nephrons and juxtamedullary nephrons. Each kidney contains over a million nephrons.