Answer:
The intercalated cells in the distal convoluted tubule of a nephron can cause and increase or decrease in body pH.
Explanation:
The renal collecting duct is the nephron segment where the final urine content of acid equivalents and inorganic ions are determined.
Two types of cells regulate the acid-base and volume homeostasis.
Intercalated cells, which express acid-base transporters and vacuolar H+-ATPase, maintain an apropriate acid-base balance and principal cells that express the epithelial sodium channel ENaC and aquaporin 2, regulate electrolyte reabsorption.
Filtered bicarbonate is predominantly reabsorbed from the proximal convoluted tubule about 80% and the remaining bicarbonate is reabsorbed from the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle, the distal nephron, specifically the distal convoluted tubule & the connecting tubule, and finally the cortical and both the outer and inner medullary collecting duct.
Intercalated cells are enriched in mitochondria, and express proteins involved in transport of proton equivalents such as vacuolar H+-ATPase, carbonic anhydrase II and bicarbonate transporters. There are two types of intercalated cells Type-A and Type-B.
