Electron micrograph of the kidney shows fenestrated endothelium lying on the basement membrane; the external surface of the membrane has adjacent dendritic epithelial cells. What do these structures form in the kidney?

Answer options

1. Filtration barrier
2. Henle’s loop
3. Proximal nephron
4. Juxtaglomerular apparatus
5. Distal nephron

Explanation

The kidney's glomerular filtration barrier consists of two cells—podocytes and endothelial cells and the glomerular basement membrane (GBM), a specialized extracellular matrix that lies between them.