What are the tiny coiled tubes that serve as the functional units of the kidney called?

The tiny coiled tubes that serve as the functional units of the kidney are known as nephrons. Each kidney contains about a million nephrons, which are responsible for filtering blood, removing waste, and regulating bodily fluids, electrolytes, and pH levels. The nephron is comprised of several components, including the glomerulus, renal tubules, and collecting ducts, all working collaboratively to perform these critical functions.

Nephrons start the process of filtration in the glomerulus, where blood plasma is filtered to form a filtrate. This filtrate then travels through various segments of the nephron, where essential substances are reabsorbed back into the bloodstream, and waste products are secreted and ultimately excreted as urine. Understanding the structure and function of nephrons is crucial for comprehending how kidneys maintain homeostasis in the body.