Final answer:
The glomerulus is protected from fluctuations in blood pressure through a mechanism called autoregulation, which helps maintain a consistent glomerular filtration rate.
Step-by-step explanation:
The glomerulus is protected from minor changes in blood pressure by a mechanism called autoregulation. This process involves the smooth muscle in the afferent arterioles, which will contract or relax in response to changes in blood pressure to maintain a consistent glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The afferent arteriole's smooth muscle responds to increased blood pressure by contracting, which restricts blood flow and prevents spikes in GFR. Conversely, when the blood pressure drops, the smooth muscle relaxes, allowing for more blood to flow and preserving GFR. This autoregulatory mechanism ensures that the filtration process in the kidneys maintains a steady state, even in the face of systemic blood pressure fluctuations.