A nephron consists of three parts - a renal corpuscle, a renal tubule, and the associated capillary network.
1. Renal Corpuscle: The renal corpuscle is the initial part of the nephron where blood is filtered. It consists of a network of capillaries called the glomerulus and a surrounding capsule called Bowman's capsule. Filtration of blood occurs here, allowing waste products and excess substances to be removed from the blood.
2. Renal Tubule: After filtration in the renal corpuscle, the filtrate moves into the renal tubule. The renal tubule is a long, twisting tube where reabsorption and secretion take place. Essential substances like water, glucose, and electrolytes are reabsorbed back into the bloodstream, while additional waste products are secreted into the tubule for excretion.
3. Capillary Network: The nephron is surrounded by a network of capillaries that are involved in reabsorption and secretion processes. These capillaries reabsorb essential substances back into the bloodstream and deliver nutrients to the nephron cells. They also help in maintaining the concentration of substances in the blood and filtrate.
Together, these three components of the nephron work in coordination to filter blood, reabsorb essential substances, and excrete waste products, ultimately regulating the body's fluid balance and electrolyte levels.