In the urinary system, what is the functional unit of the kidney called?

• A. Renal pelvis
• B. Collecting duct
• C. Nephron
• D. Glomerulus

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the kidney is composed of many microscopic structures that perform the essential functions of filtering blood and producing urine.
2. Identify the term 'functional unit' as the smallest structure capable of performing all the functions of the organ—in this case, the kidney.
3. Recall that the renal pelvis is a funnel-shaped structure collecting urine from the kidney, and the collecting duct is a part of the nephron system that collects urine from multiple nephrons.
4. Recognize that the glomerulus is a component of the nephron responsible for filtering blood plasma but is not the entire functional unit itself.
5. Conclude that the nephron is the complete functional unit of the kidney, as it includes the glomerulus and the associated tubules that process filtrate into urine.