Compare the functioning of alveoli in the lungs and nephrons in the kidneys with respect to their structure and functioning.

Class 10ScienceLife Processes

Answers (1)

digitalvishal355September 29, 2026

The comparison of alveoli in the lungs and nephrons in the kidneys are:

Alveoli	Nephron
Structure: 1. Alveoli are air-sacs that are present in the lungs in the form of balloonlike structures. 2. The cell walls of alveoli are thin, only one cell thick and composed of an extensive network of blood capillaries.	Structure: 1. Nephrons are present inside the kidneys in the form of tubular structures. 2. Nephrons consist of three main parts -glomerulus, bowman’s capsule, and a long renal tube. They are composed of a cluster of thin-walled capillaries.
Function: 1. The gaseous exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs in between the blood of the capillaries that are present around the alveoli and the gases that are present in the alveoli. 2. In alveoli, there is no selective reabsorption.	Function: 1. Nephron helps in the process of filtration of the blood and removal of wastes. 2. The solutes and excess water are filtered out when the filtration starts in the nephron. The selective reabsorption of essential molecules like amino acids, sodium salts, glucose, and water occurs before the formation of the final filtrate (urine).
3. The exchange of gases for the process of respiration takes place in alveoli.	3. The basic filtration unit for excretion is nephrons.

Alveoli

Nephron

Structure:

1. Alveoli are air-sacs that are present in the lungs in the form of balloonlike structures.

2. The cell walls of alveoli are thin, only one cell thick and composed of an extensive network of blood capillaries.

Structure:

1. Nephrons are present inside the kidneys in the form of tubular structures.

2. Nephrons consist of three main parts -glomerulus, bowman’s capsule, and a long renal tube. They are composed of a cluster of thin-walled capillaries.

Function:

1. The gaseous exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs in between the blood of the capillaries that are present around
the alveoli and the gases that are present in the alveoli.

2. In alveoli, there is no selective reabsorption.

Function:

1. Nephron helps in the process of filtration of the blood and removal of wastes.

2. The solutes and excess water are filtered out when the filtration starts in the nephron. The selective reabsorption of essential molecules like amino acids, sodium salts, glucose, and water occurs before the formation of the final filtrate (urine).

3. The exchange of gases for the process of respiration takes place in alveoli.

3. The basic filtration unit for excretion is nephrons.