Nephron parts and their blood supply — practice questions

Question 1 · difficulty L1 · recall

The structural and functional unit of the kidney:

• A. alveolus
• B. sarcomere
• C. neuron
• D. nephron

Question 2 · difficulty L1 · recall

What is the structural and functional unit of the kidney?

• A. Neuron
• B. Alveolus
• C. Nephron
• D. Hepatocyte

Question 3 · difficulty L1 · recall

Which blood vessel carries blood into the glomerulus?

• A. Vasa recta
• B. Efferent arteriole
• C. Renal vein
• D. Afferent arteriole

Question 4 · difficulty L2 · understanding

The capillary tuft where ultrafiltration begins:

• A. vasa recta
• B. glomerulus
• C. collecting duct
• D. peritubular capillary only

Question 5 · difficulty L2 · understanding

What happens to the efferent arteriole after it leaves the glomerulus in a cortical nephron?

• A. It forms a network of peritubular capillaries around the renal tubule
• B. It empties directly into the renal pelvis
• C. It becomes the ureter
• D. It enters Bowman's capsule

Question 6 · difficulty L2 · understanding

Which nephron type has a long loop of Henle extending deep into the medulla?

• A. Cortical nephron with a very short loop
• B. Juxtamedullary nephron
• C. A nephron without a glomerulus
• D. Only fetal nephrons

Question 7 · difficulty L3 · application

Blood leaving a glomerulus through the efferent arteriole next enters vessels that closely surround the tubule. What is the main importance of this arrangement?

• A. It filters blood a second time into the renal pelvis
• B. It allows urine to mix directly with blood
• C. It supports rapid exchange during tubular reabsorption and secretion
• D. It prevents any solute from returning to blood

Question 8 · difficulty L3 · application

A nephron lies near the corticomedullary junction and its loop extends far into the medulla alongside straight capillaries. Which vessels are these straight capillaries?

• A. Pulmonary capillaries
• B. Coronary capillaries
• C. Hepatic sinusoids
• D. Vasa recta

Question 9 · difficulty L4 · analysis

Why is the nephron's blood supply unusual compared with a simple capillary bed between an artery and a vein?

• A. It contains two capillary networks connected in series through an efferent arteriole
• B. It lacks arterioles completely
• C. Its capillaries carry only deoxygenated blood
• D. Blood flows from a vein directly into Bowman's capsule

Question 10 · difficulty L5 · analysis

If the vasa recta were replaced by a high-flow capillary bed that rapidly removed solutes from the medulla, which renal ability would be most impaired?

• A. Formation of the glomerular filtration barrier
• B. Maintenance of the medullary gradient needed to concentrate urine
• C. Contraction of the bladder
• D. Production of urea in the liver