Which processes are performed by the nephron?

The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney, playing a crucial role in the body's ability to manage waste and maintain homeostasis. The correct response identifies the key processes that the nephron performs: filtration, excretion, secretion, and resorption.

Filtration is the first step in the nephron's function, occurring in the glomerulus, where blood is filtered to create a filtrate that includes water, ions, and small molecules while larger molecules and cells are retained in the bloodstream.

Excretion refers to the removal of waste products from the body, which the nephron achieves by processing the filtrate through subsequent segments.

Secretion involves transferring specific substances, such as ions and metabolites, from the bloodstream into the filtrate, allowing for the regulation of electrolyte balance and acid-base homeostasis.

Resorption, or reabsorption, is the process by which the nephron reclaims necessary substances from the filtrate back into the bloodstream, ensuring that essential nutrients and water are not lost.

The other choices include activities that either do not occur in the nephron or are incorrect representations of nephron functions. For instance, replication and respiration are not processes performed by the nephron, and processes like nutrition and detoxification do not accurately