Which statement correctly describes the loop of Henle of juxtamedullary nephrons? A)The ascending limb of the loop of Henle is freely permeable to H₂O and NaCl. B)The filtrate is isotonic as it enters the loop of Henle, hypertonic at the tip of the loop, and hypotonic as it leaves the loop of Henle. C) The descending limb of the loop of Henle actively transports NaCl out of the tubule into the interstitial fluid. D) It is located at the junction of the renal cortex and the medulla.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The loop of Henle of juxtamedullary nephrons creates a concentration gradient in the renal medulla, which is important for the production of concentrated urine. The descending limb of the loop is permeable to water but not solutes, leading to the reabsorption of water and concentration of solutes in the filtrate. The ascending limb of the loop is impermeable to water but actively transports NaCl out of the tubule and into the interstitial fluid, leading to the formation of a hypertonic interstitial fluid. As a result, the filtrate becomes progressively more hypertonic as it descends into the loop and more hypotonic as it ascends out of the loop. At the tip of the loop, the filtrate is typically four times as concentrated (hypertonic) as the initial filtrate.

Which Statement Correctly Describes the Loop of Henle of Juxtamedullary