BRAINCAKECountercurrent Multiplier
At the top of the ascending loop of Henlé sodium and chloride ions are actively transported out of the Loop of Henlé into the interstitial tissue fluid. This creates a high salt concentration in the medulla. Sodium and chloride ions diffuse into the descending limb and water moves out of the descending limb by osmosis.
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Key terms in this lesson
- Loop of Henle
- The part of the nephron that dips into the medulla and, through a countercurrent multiplier mechanism, creates a low water potential that allows water to be reabsorbed from the filtrate.
More in Homeostasis
- Bowman's Capsule
- Glomerulus
- Proximal Convoluted Tubule
- Loop of Henlé
- Ultrafiltration, Selective Reabsorption and Osmoregulation.
- Distal Tubule and Collecting Duct
- ADH
- Kidney failure
All 33 lessons in Homeostasis · All OCR A-level Biology topics