Question

What is the loop of Henle?

Answer 1

A structure within your kidney.

Explanation:

After your Bowman's capsule has removed material from your blood, a lot of which you still need, this fluid travels down the loop of Henle where salts, sugars and other substances are reabsorbed.

The descending portion of the loop of Henle is permeable to water but not salts, increasing the osmotic gradient and creating a concentrated filtrate. The ascending portion is impermeable to water and Na `Na^+` and `Cl^-` are pumped out. This maintains the gradient. The filtrate is dilute in the ascending portion of the loop of Henle.

The main function of the loop of Henle is to reabsorb water and sodium chloride.

This video explains the process in more detail: