StudentRDH Pharmacology Practice Exam

The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney, and its primary role is to filter blood and produce urine. This process involves several key functions: filtration, reabsorption, secretion, and excretion.

During filtration, blood entering the nephron is filtered through a structure called the glomerulus, where waste products, excess substances, and fluid are separated from blood cells and proteins. The filtrate, which contains water, ions, and waste products, then moves through various components of the nephron, such as the proximal tubule, loop of Henle, and distal tubule.

Throughout this journey, the nephron reabsorbs essential substances like glucose, certain ions, and water back into the bloodstream, ensuring that the body retains necessary components while excreting the remaining waste products as urine. This vital process helps maintain fluid and electrolyte balance, remove toxins, and regulate overall body homeostasis.

The other options involve different organ functions: bile production occurs in the liver, blood pressure regulation primarily involves the cardiovascular system and hormonal controls rather than a direct function of the nephron, and hormone storage is typically associated with glands such as the pituitary or thyroid, not the kidney. Therefore, the nephron distinctly fulfills the role