kidney loop of Henle

bio paper 1 module 5

what’s the main function of the Loop of Henle?

produce a low water potential in the medulla of the kidney

how does the loop of Henle produce a low water potential?

acting as a countercurrent multiplier to produce concentration gradients

descending Limb

permeable to water and so filtrate flows down thus part of the loop as the water potential decreases.

when’s the water potential the lowest?

bottom of the loop

ascending limb

impermeable to water but allows movement of Na+ and Cl- out of the filtrate, so water potential rises again