What is Countercurrent Exchange Multiplication?
Countercurrent multiplication primarily occurs in the nephrons of the kidney, specifically in the loop of Henle, a hairpin-shaped structure. This process helps the kidney to form concentrated urine. During this process, when filtrate passes through the descending limb of loop of Henle, it becomes concentrated due to reabsorption of water. In the ascending limb, active transport mechanisms remove solutes, creating a hypertonic interstitial environment.
This gradient drives further water reabsorption in the descending limb and dilutes the filtrate in the ascending limb, promoting the production of concentrated urine in the collecting duct.
Countercurrent Mechanism – Urine Formation and Steps
The countercurrent mechanism in kidney is a process of concentrating urine. It involves the flow of filtrate in opposite directions in the two limbs of the loop of Henle, which creates an osmotic gradient. This gradient allows the kidneys to reabsorb water from the filtrate and produce concentrated urine.
In this article, we will discuss more about the countercurrent mechanism, the steps involved, how urine is formed, and the multiplication of the countercurrent. You can also find the countercurrent mechanism notes here.
Table of Content
- What are the Countercurrent Mechanisms?
- Where Does the Counter-Current Mechanism of Urine Formation Occur?
- Countercurrent Mechanism Steps
- Countercurrent Mechanism Diagram
- What is Countercurrent Exchange Multiplication?
- How is Concentrated Urine Produced?
- Importance of Counter Current Mechanism