During tubular secretion, ions such as H⁺ and K⁺ are added to the filtrate mainly to maintain the blood's:

Filtrate flows through four functionally distinct stages of the nephron: Bowman's capsule filters blood, the PCT reabsorbs most useful substances unconditionally, the Loop of Henle builds a concentration gradient via counter-current exchange, the DCT secretes selected substances, and the collecting duct performs the final ADH-controlled water reabsorption.