What is the function of a loop of Henle?
The primary function of the loops of Henle and the thick ascending limb of the distal tubule is the concentration of urine utilizing a principle called ‘countercurrent multiplication. ‘ The medulla possesses a gradient of urea and salt with increasing concentrations of these solutes closer to the papillae.
What happens to sodium in the loop of Henle?
The primary site of sodium reabsorption in the Loop of Henle is the thick ascending limb (TAL). The TAL is impermeable to water. Sodium reabsorption is active – the driver is the Na+/K+ ATPase on the basolateral membrane which actively pumps 3 Na+ ions out of the cell and 2 potassium (K+) ions into the cell.
Does loop of Henle have sodium potassium pump?
Schematic representation of the transport mechanisms in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle. The Na-K-ATPase pump in the basolateral (peritubular) membrane pumps Na out of, and K into, the cell.
How is sodium reabsorbed in the loop of Henle?
Reabsorption in the thick ascending limb: A further 25% of the sodium and potassium is reabsorbed through the walls of the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle via: Three-ion cotransporter (sodium/potassium/chloride) and the sodium/potassium ATPase, which as before maintains the sodium concentration gradient.
What is the importance of having a long loop of Henle and short loop of Henle in a nephron?
The counter-current system of the Loop of Henle is involved in the recovery of the water and NaCl from urine. The longer the Loop of Henle, the higher the osmolarity of the fluid as it contains more water. The short loops of the cortical nephrons passively reabsorb urea in the thick ascending limbs.
What is reabsorbed in the loop of Henle?
This part of the nephron is called the loop of Henle. Its main function is to reabsorb water and sodium chloride from the filtrate. This conserves water for the organism, producing highly concentrated urine.
What is reabsorbed in loop of Henle?
Substances reabsorbed in the PCT include urea, water, potassium, sodium, chloride, glucose, amino acids, lactate, phosphate, and bicarbonate. Since water is also reabsorbed the volume of fluid in the loop of Henle is less than the PCT, approximately one-third of the original volume.
How does the loop of Henle create a concentration gradient?
In a countercurrent multiplier, the combined action of active pumping and circulation and re-circulation of solutes around the loop of Henle create an osmotic gradient with the following properties. Little concentration difference between solution entering the loop and that leaving the loop.