Nephrons and the Formation of Urine

Nephrons

A nephron is the basic structural and functional unit of the kidneys. The main function of this structure is to regulate water and solutes in the blood by filtering the blood, reabsorbing what is needed, and excreting the rest as urine.

Learn about the process of filtering blood and forming urine in the learning object below.

Urine

Urine is a typically sterile, liquid byproduct of the body. It is secreted by the kidneys through a process called urination and excreted through the urethra. Urine contains byproducts of cellular metabolism, typically rich in nitrogen, that require elimination from the bloodstream.

Urine is eventually expelled from the body in a process known as micturition (a scientific term for urination). Micturition is the primary method for eliminating water-soluble chemicals from the body.

Examining chemicals in the urine can tell a lot about a person's health. These chemicals can be detected and analyzed by urinalysis.

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