Glomerular Filtration: What Gets Filtered and Why It Matters

Glomerular filtrate is a plasma-derived fluid containing:

• Water
• Electrolytes (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, HCO₃⁻)
• Small organic molecules (glucose, amino acids, urea, creatinine)
• Metabolic wastes

Large proteins and blood cells are normally retained due to size and charge barriers. The filtrate enters the renal tubules for selective reabsorption and secretion, ultimately forming urine.