How is a concentrated filtrate produced in the kidney to remove harmful toxins from the body?

To begin with, sodium ions are actively (using ATP) pumped out of the ascending limb of the loop of henle, however, as the ascending limb is impermeable, water remains . This creates a lower water potential in the medulla. This lower water potential causes water to diffuse out of the descending limb of the loop of henle via osmosis. Water is then reabsorbed into the surrounding capillary network, making the filtrate in the loop of henle highly concentrated. At the bottom of the ascending limb, sodium ions diffuse out into the medulla, lowering the water potential further. Water moves out of the distal convoluted tubule and out of the collecting duct via osmosis. This water is then reabsorbed into the surrounding capillary network, leaving a highly concentrated filtrate in the collecting duct.

DW
Answered by Dan W. Biology tutor

2916 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

Briefly describe the terms "antigen" and "antibody", and describe the structure of the latter. Briefly describe the processes of opsonisation, phagocytosis and destruction of bacteria by macrophages.


How to go about writing an essay in A level biology (for exampe: The importance of proteins in the control of processes and responses in organisms)


Formation of an enzyme-substrate complex increases the rate of reaction, explain how.


What is a condensation reaction?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning