PREVIOUSLY ASKED IN:
WBPSC Miscellaneous Preliminary 2019
Answer
nephrons
Explanation
The nephron is the microscopic structural and functional unit of the kidney. Each human kidney contains over a million nephrons. Their primary function is to filter the blood, remove nitrogenous waste products like urea, and regulate water and soluble substances, ultimately producing urine. Neurons, on the other hand, are the basic working units of the brain and nervous system.
Key Points
- > A nephron consists of a Malpighian corpuscle and a renal tubule.
- > The Malpighian corpuscle is made up of Bowman's capsule and the glomerulus.
- > The glomerulus is a tuft of capillaries that performs the actual filtration of blood.
- > The ureter is the duct that carries urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder.
- > Neurons are the structural and functional units of the nervous system.
Additional Information
Important Functional Units in the Human Body
| Organ / System | Functional Unit | Primary Function |
|---|---|---|
| Kidney | Nephron | Blood filtration & urine formation |
| Nervous System | Neuron | Transmitting nerve impulses |
| Lungs | Alveoli | Gas exchange (O2 and CO2) |
| Liver | Hepatic Lobule | Secretion of bile and metabolism |
Memory Tips
- Nephron: Associates with Nephrology (Study of kidneys).
- Neuron: Associates with Neurology (Study of the nervous system).
- Do not confuse the "ph" in Nephron with the "u" in Neuron.