Question

Each nephron loop has 2 limbs a _______ limb that extends from the cortex to the medulla and an ________ limb that returns back into the renal cortex.

Answer 1

A nephron loop consists of a descending limb that moves fluid from the cortex to the medulla and an ascending limb that returns the fluid into the cortex, where the juxtamedullary nephrons' loops of Henle play a crucial role in concentrating and diluting urine.

Step-by-step explanation:

Each nephron loop has 2 limbs: a descending limb that extends from the cortex to the medulla, and an ascending limb that returns back into the renal cortex.

Juxtamedullary nephrons are nephrons adjacent to the border of the cortex and medulla, with loops of Henle that extend deep into the renal medulla.

These specialized structures facilitate the concentration and dilution of urine through a process of osmosis in the descending limb and active transport in the ascending limb.

The descending limb of the loop of Henle moves fluid from the renal cortex into the medulla, becoming increasingly concentrated due to water being drawn out of the tubule.

Conversely, the ascending limb moves fluid from the medulla back into the cortex, where it becomes more dilute as ions are actively transported out of the tubule.