Final answer:
The function of nephrons in the outer kidney is all of the above. Nephrons perform filtration, reabsorption, and secretion to filter blood, reabsorb water and nutrients, and secrete waste products to form urine.
Step-by-step explanation:
The function of nephrons in the outer kidney is all of the above. Nephrons, which are the functional units of the kidney, perform three main functions: filtration, reabsorption, and secretion.
- Filtration: Nephrons filter blood in the glomerulus, where almost all solutes, except for proteins, are filtered out into the glomerulus by a process called glomerular filtration.
- Reabsorption: The filtrate collected in the renal tubules undergoes tubular reabsorption, where most of the solutes and water are reabsorbed back into the bloodstream.
- Secretion: Additional solutes and waste products are secreted into the renal tubules during tubular secretion.
Therefore, nephrons in the outer kidney play a crucial role in filtering blood, reabsorbing water and nutrients, and secreting waste products to form urine.