NCERT Solution for Class 10 Science Chapter 6
Life Processes
NCERT Books for Session 2022-2023
CBSE Board and UP Board
Exercises Questions
Page No-113
Questions No-13
Compare the functioning of alveoli in the lungs and nephrons in the kidneys with respect to their structure and functioning.
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Alveoli:
1. Alveoli are tiny balloon-like structures present inside the lungs.
2. The walls of the alveoli are one cell thick and it contains an extensive network of blood capillaries.
3. The exchange of O2 and CO2 takes place between the blood of the capillaries that surround the alveoli and the gases present in the alveoli.
Alveoli are the site of gaseous exchange.
Nephron:
1. Nephrons are tubular structures present inside the kidneys.
2. Nephrons are made of glomerulus, bowman’s capsule, and a long renal tube. It also contains a cluster of thin walled capillaries.
3. The blood enters the kidneys through the renal artery which branches into many capillaries in the glomerulus. The water and solute are transferred to the nephron at Bowman’s capsule. Then the filtrate moves through the proximal tubule, distal tubule and collecting duct. The collecting duct collects the urine from many nephrons and passes it to the ureter. During the flow of filtrate, some substances such as glucose, amino acids, and water are selectively reabsorbed.
Nephrons are the basic filtration unit.
Alveoli
1. Alveoli are functional unit of lungs.
2. A mature lung has about 30 crore alveoli.
3. Alveoli provide a wide surface for gaseous exchange.
4. The exchange of O2 and CO2 takes place through the network of capillaries in alveoli.
Nephron
1. Nephrons are functional unit of kidney.
2. A kidney has about 10 lakh nephrons.
3. The surface area of a nephron is not much more.
4. The Bowman’s capsule in nephron regulates the concentration of water and salts.
Alveoli
Alveoli are sac like structure.
Alveoli have network of blood capillaries on their walls.
Exchange of materials takes place through diffusion.
Nephrons
Nephrons are a network of very fine tubules.
Nephrons act like transit point for blood capillaries.
Exchange of materials takes place because of high pressure.
Alveoli in the Lungs and Nephrons in the Kidneys are both essential components of the human body responsible for distinct functions, and they differ in their structure and functioning. Let’s compare them in terms of their structure and functioning:
Structure:
1. Alveoli in the Lungs:
. Alveoli are tiny, air-filled sacs located within the lungs.
. They are surrounded by a network of capillaries.
. The walls of alveoli are extremely thin, consisting of a single layer of epithelial cells.
. Alveoli are clustered at the ends of bronchioles in the respiratory tree.
. Nephrons in the Kidneys:
2. Nephrons are the functional units of the kidneys.
. Each kidney contains about a million nephrons.
. Nephrons consist of two main parts: the renal corpuscle (which includes the glomerulus and . Bowman’s capsule) and the renal tubule.
. The renal tubule is divided into several sections, including the proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, and collecting duct.
Function:
1. Alveoli in the Lungs:
. Alveoli are responsible for the exchange of gases, primarily oxygen and carbon dioxide, during the process of respiration.
. Oxygen from inhaled air diffuses into the bloodstream through the thin walls of the alveoli and is transported to body tissues.
. Carbon dioxide produced by body tissues diffuses into the alveoli and is exhaled from the body.
2. Nephrons in the Kidneys:
. Nephrons play a crucial role in the filtration, reabsorption, and secretion of waste products and substances in the bloodstream.
They filter blood to remove waste products and excess substances, forming urine in the process.
. Substances such as water, electrolytes, glucose, and waste products like urea are regulated by nephrons.
. Nephrons help maintain the body’s water and electrolyte balance and regulate blood pressure.
In summary, alveoli in the lungs are specialized for the exchange of respiratory gases, while nephrons in the kidneys are responsible for filtering and regulating the composition of blood to maintain overall homeostasis in the body. The structures and functions of these two components are distinct and serve different vital functions within the human body.