NEETZoologyExcretory Products and their Elimination
What is the role of Henle's loop and vasa recta in the renal system?
Options
- ATo transport NaCl
- BTo transport urea
- CTo maintain a concentration gradient in the medullary interstitium
- DTo produce a dilute urine
Correct answer
C. To maintain a concentration gradient in the medullary interstitium
Step-by-step solution
Mammals have the ability to produce a concentrated urine. The Henle’s loop and vasa recta play a significant role in this. The flow of filtrate in the two limbs of Henle’s loop is in opposite directions and thus forms a counter current. The flow of blood through the two limbs of vasa recta is also in a counter current pattern. The proximity between the Henle’s loop and vasa recta, as well as the counter current in them help in maintaining an increasing osmolarity towards the inner medullary interstitium , i.e., fro