The structural and functional units of the kidneys that are responsible for forming urine are called what?

The nephrons are the structural and functional units of the kidneys that play a crucial role in urine formation. Each kidney contains approximately one million nephrons, which are responsible for filtering blood, reabsorbing essential substances, and excreting waste products as urine.

Within the nephron, there are two main components: the renal corpuscle, which includes the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule, and the renal tubule, which comprises the proximal tubule, loop of Henle, and distal convoluted tubule. Together, these components work to regulate various bodily functions, such as water balance, electrolyte levels, and acid-base balance, while also concentrating waste products for elimination.

While glomeruli are indeed part of the nephron and are involved in the filtration process, they alone do not encompass the entire function of urine formation. Renal tubules are segments of the nephrons that further process the filtrate but are not the complete structural unit responsible for urine formation on their own. Ureters, on the other hand, are tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder and do not play a role in urine formation.

In summary, the answer emphasizes the nephron's role as the complete unit responsible for filtering blood