Q1. [5] medium initial-understanding
Describe the structure and functioning of a nephron.
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-10 02:58 · grounding rag
Model Answer
Structure of a Nephron:
A nephron is the basic filtration unit of the kidney. It consists of:
- Bowman's capsule – a cup-shaped structure enclosing a cluster of capillaries called the glomerulus.
- Renal tubule – a long coiled tube leading from Bowman's capsule, divided into the proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, and distal convoluted tubule, which opens into the collecting duct.
Functioning:
- Filtration: Blood entering the glomerulus is filtered under pressure; water, glucose, amino acids, urea, and salts pass into Bowman's capsule as glomerular filtrate.
- Reabsorption: As filtrate moves through the tubule, useful substances (glucose, amino acids, water, salts) are reabsorbed back into the blood.
- Excretion: The remaining filtrate (urine), containing urea and excess salts, passes into the collecting duct and then to the ureter.
---
Explanation
- Examiners expect both structure and functioning addressed separately and clearly.
- Label the key parts: glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, renal tubule, collecting duct.
- The three functional steps — filtration → reabsorption → excretion — must all appear for full marks.
- A labelled diagram of the nephron, if drawn neatly, can earn 1 mark and compensate for minor omissions in text.
- Note: No source passages on nephrons were provided; this answer is based on standard CBSE Class 10 Biology Chapter 6 (Life Processes) content.