 Proximal Convoluted Tubule 65%

o Primary site for reabsorption of solutes and water

o Cuboidal cells with numerous microvilli and mitochondria
o Well adapted to transport molecules and ions across the nephron wall by active
transport and cotransport
o Substances transported are:
 Proteins
 Amino acids
 Glucose
 Fructose
 Na, K, Ca, HCO3, Cl
o Permeable to water
 As solute molecules are transported out of the proximal convoluted tubule into
the interstitial fluid, water moves by osmosis in the same direction
 These solutes and water then enter the peritubular capillaries
 Descending Limb of the Loop of Henle 15%
o Critical site for water reabsorption
o The walls are highly permeable to water
 As filtrate moves through the medulla containing highly concentrated interstitial
fluid, water moves out of the nephron by osmosis
 Ascending Limb of the Loop of Henle
o Dilutes the filtrate by removing solutes
o Thin segment
 Not permeable to water
 Permeable to solutes
o Thick segment
 Actively transport Na out of the nephron
 K and Cl are cotransported with Na
 Not permeable to water
 Distal Convoluted Tubule 19%
o Filtrate is more dilute than the interstitial fluid
o Only 20% of the original filtrate volume remains
o Removes water and additional solutes from the filtrate
o Na and Cl are the principal reabsorbed solutes
 Sodium ions are actively transported out of the filtrate
 Chloride ions are cotransported out of the filtrate with Na
o The osmosis of water accounts for the reabsorption of 19% of the original filtrate
volume
 1% is then left