Question

What is the function of Bowman’s capsule and the Glomerulus?
A. Filtration of blood
B. Reabsorption of ions from the blood
C. Reabsorption of hormones from the blood
D. Reabsorption of water from the blood

Answer 1

Hint: The kidney is a bean-shaped organ that functions to filter the blood. The nephron is the key unit of the kidney and is made of the renal corpuscle and renal tubule. Bowman’s capsule and glomerulus are components of the renal corpuscle of a nephron.

Complete answer: The Bowman’s capsule is a membranous, double-walled capsule-like structure. It lies below the glomerulus surrounding it from the ventral side. It is the initial portion of the renal corpuscle of the nephron. It is involved in blood plasma filtration. It continues with the proximal convoluted tubule. It encircles the blood capillaries of the glomerulus. It is made of two layers involving epithelial cells. These are called outer and inner layers. The filtrate from the glomerulus is sent to the double membrane space of Bowman’s capsule.

The glomerulus is a cluster of thin blood capillaries in a nephron. It is the main filtering structure. The blood capillaries in the glomerulus are made of a single layer of epithelial cells. Two types of epithelial cells are present in this layer called podocytes and mesangial cells. These cells form filtration slits through which large molecules are restricted to pass. Small molecules of waste material are filtered and passed to space between Bowman’s capsule. The blood to the glomerulus comes from the afferent arteriole. Efferent arterioles take away the filtered blood from the glomerulus.
So, the correct answer is option A.


Note: The Bowman’s capsule is a cup-like structure whereas the glomerulus is a cluster of blood capillaries. Glomerulus receives blood but Bowman’s capsule does not receive blood platelets. The filtered blood from Bowman’s capsule is subjected to further filtration in proximal convoluted tubules.