Which term refers to the functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood and forming urine?

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

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the function of the kidney in the human body. The kidney is responsible for filtering blood, removing waste products, and forming urine to maintain homeostasis.
2. Step 2: Learn about the nephron, which is the functional unit of the kidney. Each kidney contains approximately 1 million nephrons, and they are responsible for filtering blood and forming urine.
3. Step 3: Compare the given terms to the nephron. The osteon is the structural unit of compact bone, the neuron is the functional unit of the nervous system, and the alveolus is the site of gas exchange in the lungs. None of these terms are related to kidney function.
4. Step 4: Recognize that the nephron is the correct term because it is specifically designed to filter blood and form urine, which aligns with the kidney's primary function.
5. Step 5: Reinforce the concept by reviewing the structure of the nephron, including its components such as the glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, proximal tubule, loop of Henle, distal tubule, and collecting duct, all of which contribute to the filtration and urine formation process.