Question

Complete the diagram/chart with correct labels/ information. Write the conceptual details regarding it.

Answer 1

Malpighian body-

Nephron is the structural and functional unit of kidney.

Malpighian body: Each Malpighian body is about 200μm in diameter and consists of a Bowman’s capsule and glomerulus.

1. Glomerulus:
   Glomerulus is a bunch of fine blood capillaries located in the cavity of Bowman’s capsule. A small terminal branch of the renal artery, called as afferent arteriole enters the cup cavity (Bowman capsule) and undergoes extensive fine branching to form network of several capillaries. This bunch is called as glomerulus. The capillary wall is fenestrated (perforated). All capillaries reunite and form an efferent arteriole that leaves the cup cavity. The diameter of the afferent arteriole is greater than the efferent arteriole. This creates a high hydrostatic pressure essential for ultrafiltration, in the glomerulus.
2. Bowman’s capsule:
   It is a cup-like structure having double walls composed of squamous epithelium. The outer wall is called as parietal wall and the inner wall is called as visceral wall. The parietal wall is thin consisting of simple squamous epithelium. There is a space called as capsular space / urinary space in between two walls. Visceral wall consists of special type of squamous cells called podocytes having a foot-like pedicel. These podocytes are in close contact with the walls of capillaries of glomerulus. There are small slits called as filtration slits in between adjacent podocytes.