Question:easy
Thiazide diuretics act on which part of the nephron?
Thiazide diuretics act on which part of the nephron?
Show Hint
Thiazides block the Na-Cl symporter in the early distal tubule.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- Proximal convoluted tubule (PCT)
- Distal convoluted tubule (DCT)
- Glomerulus
- Descending limb of the loop of Henle
Show Solution
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Map each diuretic class onto the nephron segment whose transporter it inhibits, then locate the one tied to thiazides.
Step 2: The early distal tubule, also called the cortical diluting segment, reabsorbs sodium and chloride together through an electroneutral Na-Cl cotransporter. Thiazides selectively block this carrier, so the answer is the distal convoluted tubule.
Step 3: The proximal tubule handles bulk isotonic reabsorption and is the domain of acetazolamide, while the thick ascending limb with its Na-K-2Cl carrier is blocked by furosemide. Neither is the thiazide site, eliminating (a).
Step 4: The glomerulus only filters plasma and offers no transporter to block, and the descending limb mainly moves water rather than salt, so neither (c) nor (d) can be correct.
\[\boxed{\text{Distal convoluted tubule (DCT)}}\]
Step 2: The early distal tubule, also called the cortical diluting segment, reabsorbs sodium and chloride together through an electroneutral Na-Cl cotransporter. Thiazides selectively block this carrier, so the answer is the distal convoluted tubule.
Step 3: The proximal tubule handles bulk isotonic reabsorption and is the domain of acetazolamide, while the thick ascending limb with its Na-K-2Cl carrier is blocked by furosemide. Neither is the thiazide site, eliminating (a).
Step 4: The glomerulus only filters plasma and offers no transporter to block, and the descending limb mainly moves water rather than salt, so neither (c) nor (d) can be correct.
\[\boxed{\text{Distal convoluted tubule (DCT)}}\]
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