Question

What would you predict to be the effect on an animal species of having longer loops of Henle in their kidney structure

Answer 1

Answer: They would be better able to survive in dry environment like deserts than animals with shorter loops.

Explanation:

The kidney is an organ found in animal that is used for the excretion of unwanted nitrogenous substances such as urea and other ammonium compounds from the blood. They also maintain the osmotic pressure of the blood by controlling the excretion of water and salts.

The urinary tubule is the functional unit of the kidney. This tubule is made up of:

--> Bowman's capsule

--> proximal convoluted tubule

--> loop of Henle

--> distal convoluted tubule and

--> collecting ducts.

The ability of the kidney to form a urine that is more concentrated than plasma is essential for survival of mammals that live on land including humans. When there is short supply of water, desert environment, the kidney forms a concentrated urine by continuing to excrete solutes while increasing water reabsorption and decreasing the volume of urine formed. The requirements for excreting a concentrated urine depends on the anatomical arrangement of the loop of Henle. A LONGER loop of Henle provides more osmotic gradient necessary for water reabsorption to occur than a shorter one there by limiting the need for water intake.