Final answer:
Bowman's capsule is known as the glomerular capsule and encases the glomerulus in the kidney's nephron. Composed of a parietal layer and podocytes, it contributes to blood filtration by passing substances to the renal tubule, beginning with the PCT.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bowman's capsule, the renal membrane that surrounds the glomerulus, is called the glomerular capsule. This structure is integral to the function of the kidney nephron. The renal corpuscle, which includes both the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule, is located in the renal cortex and functions in the filtration of blood. Bowman's capsule itself is a cup-shaped sack that's lined by a simple squamous epithelium on its parietal surface and specialized cells known as podocytes on its visceral surface.
The proximal end of the renal tubule, closest to Bowman's capsule, is called the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), which leads to the loop of Henle and then to the distal convoluted tubule. As filtrate moves through these structures, it is processed into urine. Surrounding the renal tubule system are peritubular capillaries which play a role in the reabsorption and secretion processes that refine the filtrate into urine.