Alberta Written Barber Practice Exam

Which process do nephrons utilize to extract usable nutrients from waste?

1. Filtration

2. Reabsorption

3. Secretion

4. Diffusion

The correct answer is: Filtration

The process through which nephrons extract usable nutrients from waste is known as reabsorption. During the filtration process, blood enters the nephron, and waste products along with some nutrients are filtered out into the renal tubule. However, not all filtered substances are waste; many nutrients, such as glucose, amino acids, and certain ions, need to be retained in the body. During reabsorption, the nephron selectively absorbs these essential nutrients back into the bloodstream from the renal tubule. This process is vital because it ensures that the body retains necessary substances while filtering out waste. While filtration does initiate the separation of waste from usable nutrients, it is during reabsorption that the nephrons recover and preserve the nutrients needed for the body's functioning. Therefore, reabsorption is the essential process that focuses on reclaiming useful substances, making it the correct response to the question regarding how nephrons extract usable nutrients from waste.