What are the key adaptations of the epithelial cells in the proximal convoluted tubule?

  1. Microvilli - provide a large surface area
  2. Infoldings at their bases - provide a large surface area to transfer reabsorbed substances
  3. High density of mitochondria - provide ATP for active transport
  4. Co-transporter proteins in the plasma membrane - allow co-transport of substances from filtrate into epithelial cells

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What happens to the sodium ions in the proximal convoluted tubule?

  1. Sodium ions (Na+) are actively transported into blood capillaries, reducing the Na+ concentration in epithelial cells lining the PCT
  2. Na+ moves from the PCT lumen into the epithelial cells, down its concentration gradient
  3. Na+ is co-transported with substances like glucose and amino acids into the epithelial cells
  4. These reabsorbed molecules can then diffuse into blood capillaries

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What happens to the molecules like glucose, amino acids, and water in the epithelial cells of the proximal convoluted tubule?

Molecules like glucose, amino acids, and water diffuse into the blood from the epithelial cells.


The blood then quickly transports the substances away, maintaining a steep concentration gradient.

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What are the key adaptations of the epithelial cells in the distal convoluted tubule?

  1. Microvilli - provide a large surface area
  2. Many mitochondria - provide ATP for active transport

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What is the main role of the distal convoluted tubule?

The main role of the distal convoluted tubule is to reabsorb water and salts, to make final adjustments to the filtrate that will enter the collecting ducts.


It can also help to control the pH of the blood by selecting which ions to reabsorb.

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How can the permeability of the distal convoluted tubule be changed?

The permeability of the walls of the distal convoluted tubule can change under the influence of various hormones.

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What is the main role of the proximal convoluted tubule?

The main role of the proximal convoluted tubule is to reabsorb substances like glucose, amino acids, chloride ions, sodium ions, and some water back into the blood.

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