Video Transcript
Which of the following exist in the
kidney in a number less than the number of Bowman’s capsules? (A) Glomeruli, (B) loops of Henle,
(C) nephric tubules, or (D) collecting ducts.
In order to answer this question,
we must first recall that the Bowman’s capsule is a part of the nephron. So we’re looking for the answer
choice that will have less of than the number of nephrons in the kidney. So we’ll start by diagramming and
labeling a nephron, and then we’ll be able to choose the correct response. So here’s our simplified diagram of
a nephron. Our nephron consists of the
glomerulus, a ball of porous blood vessels that release filtrate, the Bowman’s
capsule which collects that filtrate. The Bowman’s capsule empties the
filtrate into the nephric tubule. This coiled twisted tube makes up
most of the nephron. One of the features of the nephric
tubule is the loop of Henle, where most of the water is reabsorbed from the filtrate
back into the bloodstream. And several nephrons will connect
to one collecting duct.
The collecting ducts collect urine,
and they join into larger and larger vessels until they reach the renal pelvis,
where the urine exits the kidney through the ureter. Which of the following will exist
in the kidney in a number less than the number of nephrons? Well, the glomerulus, the loop of
Henle, and the nephric tubule are all different parts of a nephron. In the kidney, we should have the
exact same number of each. But one collecting duct collects
urine from multiple nephrons. So in the kidney, there will be
fewer collecting ducts than Bowman’s capsules.
