JAMB 2012 Biology · Question 3
In the kidney of mammals, the site of ultrafiltration is the
Options
- A.uriniferous tubule
- B.Bowman's capsule
- C.loop of Henle
- D.renal tubule
Answer: B. Bowman's capsule
Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key
Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks where ultrafiltration happens in the mammalian kidney. Ultrafiltration is the first stage of urine formation, where blood plasma is filtered under high pressure.
Step 2: Explain the concept Each nephron has two main parts:
- Renal corpuscle: the glomerulus (a knot of capillaries) enclosed by the Bowman's capsule.
- Renal tubule: the proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, and distal convoluted tubule.
Urine formation happens in three stages:
- Ultrafiltration in the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule
- Selective reabsorption in the proximal tubule, loop of Henle, and distal tubule
- Secretion and concentration in the distal tubule and collecting duct
Step 3: Work through the solution
- The afferent arteriole is wider than the efferent arteriole, so blood pressure builds up in the glomerulus.
- This pressure forces water, glucose, amino acids, salts, and urea through the capillary walls into the Bowman's capsule.
- Blood cells and large proteins are too big to pass through, so they stay in the blood.
- The fluid collected in the capsule is called the glomerular filtrate.
Step 4: Check the options
- A. Uriniferous tubule: another name for the whole nephron, so it is too general. Reabsorption happens along its tubular part.
- B. Bowman's capsule: the cup-shaped structure that receives the filtrate from the glomerulus. This is the site of ultrafiltration.
- C. Loop of Henle: concentrates urine by water and salt reabsorption. It does not filter.
- D. Renal tubule: handles reabsorption and secretion, not filtration.
Answer: B. Bowman's capsule
Tip: Remember the order F-R-S: Filtration in the Bowman's capsule/glomerulus, Reabsorption in the tubules, Secretion in the distal tubule. If an exam question says "ultrafiltration" or "filtration", think glomerulus and Bowman's capsule.
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