A Model of Branching Kidneys (IMAGE)
Caption
Kidneys form as their tubules branch, a variable process that leads to some people’s kidneys having nine times as many nephrons as others — and potentially many more times the filtration power and lifespan. “There’s a lot of variability in how many nephrons we have,” Hughes points out, referring to the kidney’s tiny, functional unit. “If you have fewer nephrons, does that mean that you have a higher chance of chronic kidney disease? The research seems to support this.”
Credit
Bella Ciervo
Usage Restrictions
Credit must be given to the creator. Adaptations must be shared under the same terms.
License
CC BY-SA