The basic functional unit of the kidney that filters blood is the

The basic functional unit of the kidney that filters blood is the

• A. Glomerulus
• B. Nephron
• C. Ureter
• D. Renal pelvis

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that the nephron is the basic functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood and forming urine. Within each nephron, filtration begins at the glomerulus, a network of capillaries, but the entire nephron handles filtration plus reabsorption and secretion along its tubules. The ureter and renal pelvis are parts of the urine drainage pathway and do not perform filtration. So, the nephron best fits as the functional unit that filters blood.

The key idea is that the nephron is the basic functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood and forming urine. Within each nephron, filtration begins at the glomerulus, a network of capillaries, but the entire nephron handles filtration plus reabsorption and secretion along its tubules. The ureter and renal pelvis are parts of the urine drainage pathway and do not perform filtration. So, the nephron best fits as the functional unit that filters blood.