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🔬 Biology  ·  Excretory Products and their Elimination  ·  NEET

The descending limb of the loop of Henle is relatively impermeable to which substance, a key feature of the counter-current mechanism?

Answer: Sodium and chloride ions.

  • A Glucose dissolved in the filtrate
  • B Water
  • C Urea, but not other ions
  • D Sodium and chloride ions

Correct answer: D. Sodium and chloride ions

Explanation: The descending limb is permeable to water but largely impermeable to Na+ and Cl-, while the ascending limb is impermeable to water but actively transports out Na+ and Cl-, together creating the medullary osmotic gradient.

The Nephron: Stages of Urine FormationBowman'scapsuleFILTRATIONPCTbulk REABSORPTIONLoop of Henlecounter-current - concentrates medullaDCTSECRETIONCollecting ductADH acts HERE

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.

Concept context

Nitrogenous waste, kidney structure, urine formation in the nephron, and hormonal regulation of excretion.

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