The blood supply to the nephron is the __________.

• A. afferent arteriole
• B. renal vein
• C. collecting duct
• D. loop of Henle

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the nephron's structure and function. The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood and forming urine. It requires a blood supply to perform filtration.
2. Step 2: Identify the role of the afferent arteriole. The afferent arteriole is a small artery that carries blood into the glomerulus, a network of capillaries within the nephron where filtration begins.
3. Step 3: Eliminate incorrect options. The renal vein is responsible for carrying filtered blood away from the kidney, not supplying blood to the nephron. The collecting duct is involved in urine transport and concentration, not blood supply. The loop of Henle is part of the nephron's tubule system, involved in water and solute reabsorption, not blood supply.
4. Step 4: Recognize that the afferent arteriole is the correct answer because it directly supplies blood to the nephron for filtration in the glomerulus.
5. Step 5: Conclude that understanding the anatomy of the nephron and the roles of its associated structures is key to solving this type of problem effectively.