Which of the following are microscopic units that filter the blood and produce urine?

The nephron is the fundamental microscopic unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood and producing urine. Each kidney contains approximately one million nephrons, which consist of components such as the glomerulus, renal tubules, and collecting ducts.

Within the nephron, the glomerulus plays a crucial role in the filtration process. It is a network of capillaries enclosed in a capsule that allows for the passage of water, ions, and small molecules from the blood into the renal tubule, where further processing occurs. The nephron then regulates the reabsorption and secretion of various substances to form urine, maintaining the body’s fluid and electrolyte balance.

The liver, while important for various metabolic processes and detoxification, does not filter blood to produce urine. Instead, it produces bile, which aids in digestion. The adrenal glands produce hormones but are not involved in the filtering process of blood or urine formation. Thus, given that the nephron encompasses both the glomerulus and the overall functional structure responsible for urine production, it accurately represents the microscopic unit filtering blood and generating urine.