Nephron Structure (AQA A Level Biology): Revision Note

Kidney nephron structure

• The kidneys are responsible for:

  • osmoregulation: regulating the water content of the blood

  • excretion: the removal of metabolic waste and excess substances from the blood

• The internal structure of the kidney includes:

  • the outer renal cortex

  • the inner renal medulla

  • the renal pelvis at the centre of the kidney where urine is funnelled into the ureter

  • thousands of tiny tubes, known as nephrons

• Kidney nephrons span the cortex and medulla and lead into the pelvis; nephrons contain the following structures:

  • glomerulus

  • Bowman's capsule

  • proximal convoluted tubule

  • loop of Henle

  • distal convoluted tubule

  • collecting duct