The transfer of fluid from the glomerulus to Bowman’s capsule
results from active transport
transfers large molecules as easily as small ones
is very selective as to which subprotein-sized molecules are transferred
is mainly a consequence of blood pressure in the capillaries of the glomerulus
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is:
is mainly a consequence of blood pressure in the capillaries of the glomerulus
Explanation:
The process by which fluid transfers from the glomerulus to Bowman’s capsule in the kidneys is known as glomerular filtration. This process is primarily driven by blood pressure in the capillaries of the glomerulus, rather than active transport mechanisms. Here’s why this is the case:
- Blood Pressure as a Driving Force: The blood pressure in the glomerulus is higher than in other parts of the body’s capillary networks. This high pressure is crucial because it forces water and solutes out of the blood and into the Bowman’s capsule, forming the filtrate. This pressure gradient between the blood in the glomerular capillaries and the fluid in Bowman’s capsule is the primary force behind the filtration process.
- Passive Process: Unlike active transport, glomerular filtration does not require energy in the form of ATP. Instead, it is a passive process driven by the hydrostatic pressure of the blood. This is why it is not correct to say that the transfer results from active transport.
- Selectivity of Filtration: The filtration barrier in the kidneys is selectively permeable, allowing some molecules (like water, glucose, ions, and small proteins) to pass while blocking larger molecules like cells and large proteins. This selectivity is due to the physical size and charge properties of the pores in the glomerular capillary walls and the podocytes in Bowman’s capsule.
- Not All Molecules Are Transferred Equally: The statement that filtration “transfers large molecules as easily as small ones” is incorrect because the glomerular filtration barrier effectively restricts larger molecules based on size and charge. Small molecules and water pass through more readily due to their size, making the process selective for subprotein-sized molecules.
In summary, glomerular filtration is a crucial kidney function driven by the blood pressure in the glomerular capillaries, utilizing a passive mechanism that depends on the pressure gradient, without the need for energy consumption typical of active transport processes.
Now, I’ll generate an image to visually represent this explanation.
Here is the anatomical illustration showing the process of glomerular filtration in the human kidney, focusing on the glomerulus and Bowman’s capsule. This image visually represents how the blood pressure in the capillaries of the glomerulus drives fluid into Bowman’s capsule through a selective filtration barrier.
