The loop of Henle relies on a countercurrent exchange mechanism to promote movement of water and solutes. Explain the significance of this mechanism to the composition of urine

What will be an ideal response?


The hairpin loop arrangement of this section of the nephron, in conjunction with the close proximity of each loop, permits exchanges between the two sides of the loop. Fluid is flowing in opposite directions in the ascending versus the descending loops, allowing for concentration differences to exist in terms of specific solutes. The concentration differences promote solutes, and then water, to move from one side of the tube to the other, down a concentration gradient. The end result is a decrease in the overall energetics of solute movement, due to the countercurrent exchanges that occur across the loop of Henle.

Biology & Microbiology

You might also like to view...

In a dominance hierarchy, why would subordinate members remain part of the group?

What will be an ideal response?

Biology & Microbiology

Photosynthesis converts the energy of light

into

a. pigments. b. chemical bond energy. c. carbohydrates. d. electrons and protons. e. heat energy.

Biology & Microbiology

A human gamete has 23 chromosomes. How many chromatids would be in a mature cell immediately prior to mitosis?

1.23 2.46 3.69 4.92

Biology & Microbiology

The position of a cell within an embryo during embryonic development determines ________________.

A. which genes will be knocked out B. the gender of the embryo C. whether the cell will differentiate D. which master genes are turned on E. whether maternal mRNAs will be translated

Biology & Microbiology