I buzzed in on this question at "mesangial cells" with "kidneys" and was negged. This didn't affect our game at all, but it's annoying to have that knowledge and get penalized for things because the writer didn't include an answer/promptable answer in the answer line. Also, maybe I have a weird sense of difficulty when it comes to things I know, but it seems like "vasa recta" and "natriuretic peptides" are dropped too early in this.8. One region within these structures contains modified smooth muscle cells called mesangial cells and octopus-like epithelial cells with many extensions, known as podocytes. Mammals and birds possess a deeply extending type of these structures which are surrounded by long capillaries called the vasa recta. A- and B-type natriuretic peptides act on a tightly packed region of cells within these structures, the (*) macula densa. Extra aquaporins are inserted into the distal portion of these structures in response to vasopressin, increasing their resorption of water. Renin is secreted by their juxtaglomerular apparatus. For 10 points, identify these structures comprised of subunits including the proximal and distal tubules, the glomerulus, and Bowman’s capsule, the smallest functional unit of the kidney.
ANSWER: nephrons
Other than this, I enjoyed the tournament.