1. Filtration: The glomerulus of the nephron filters water, salt, sugar, urea, uric acid, creatinine, hormones, metal ions etc. from the blood. These filtrates are called glomerular filtrates. Glomerular filtrate accumulates in the capsular space.
2. Reabsorption: Proximal tubule reabsorbs water, glucose, sodium bicarbonate, chloride, calcium, sodium chloride and distal tubule reabsorbs potassium, urea, uric acid, phosphate etc.
3. Active secretion: Creatinine and some urea are secreted from the capillary network of the proximal tubule. These substances mix with the glomerular filtrate and are carried in the urine. Hydrogen ions, potassium ions, ammonium ions, serotonin, choline, histamine etc. are secreted from the distal tubule. All these substances mix with the filtrate and become urine.
4. Creation of new substances: Inorganic phosphate, ammonia, hippuric acid etc. are created in epithelial cells. All these substances mix with other substances and become urine.
5. Acid production: Nephron produces different types of acid in the human body. The main acids produced by the nephron are sulfuric acid and lactic acid.
6. pH control: Nephron regulates pH in the body by storing alkaline substances and excreting acidic substances.
7. Controlling sodium levels: Sodium is an important buffer in our body. Nephrons regulate sodium levels in the human body.
8. Control of urine concentration: When the nephron tubules absorb water from the glomerular filtrate, the urine thickens. Again, if water is not absorbed from the glomerular filtrate, the urine becomes diluted.
9. Regulation of ion level: Kidney regulates the level of sodium, potassium, chloride etc. ions in the body.
10. Regulation of Osmosis: It regulates the osmotic pressure of blood and cells.