Where does the countercurrent multiplier occur?
countercurrent multiplier system An active process occurring in the loops of Henle in the kidney, which is responsible for the production of concentrated urine in the collecting ducts of the nephrons.
What is the countercurrent mechanism of the nephron loop?
The counter-current multiplier or the countercurrent mechanism is used to concentrate urine in the kidneys by the nephrons of the human excretory system. The nephrons involved in the formation of concentrated urine extend all the way from the cortex of the kidney to the medulla and are accompanied by vasa recta.
Is the descending limb Hyperosmotic?
Equilibration: Since the descending limb of the loop of henle consists of very leaky epithelium, the fluid inside the descending limb becomes hyperosmolar.
Why is the loop of Henle called a countercurrent multiplier?
Because the blood flow through these capillaries is very slow, any solutes that are reabsorbed into the bloodstream have time to diffuse back into the interstitial fluid, which maintains the solute concentration gradient in the medulla. This passive process is known as countercurrent exchange.
What is the effect of countercurrent multiplier in the loop of Henle quizlet?
What is the effect of countercurrent multiplier in the loop of Henle? Water is reabsorbed in the descending loop in Henle.
What is counter multiplier system?
Countercurrent multiplication in the kidneys is the process of using energy to generate an osmotic gradient that enables you to reabsorb water from the tubular fluid and produce concentrated urine.
What does the descending loop of Henle do?
The descending loop contains AQP1 and is therefore permeable to water but impermeable to salt. As urine descends into the medulla, the high interstitial solute concentration osmotically draws water from the descending limb and concentrates salt within the lumen.
What is the difference between ascending and descending loop of Henle?
The key difference between ascending and descending loop of Henle is that ascending loop of Henle is the thicker segment of the loop of Henle located just after the sharp bend of the loop while descending loop of Henle is the thinner segment located just before the sharp bend of the loop.
What is countercurrent multiplier in the kidney?
A mechanism used by the kidneys, making it possible to excrete excess solutes in the urine with little loss of water from the body. When the filtrate runs in two different directions in the two arms of Henle’s loop, this is known as countercurrent.
Why is it called countercurrent multiplier?
The structure of the loop of Henle and associated peritubular capillary create a countercurrent multiplier system (Figure 25.6. 1). The countercurrent term comes from the fact that the descending and ascending loops are next to each other and their fluid flows in opposite directions (countercurrent).
What does the counter current multiplier do?