5.2.1 The Importance of Excretion Flashcards
1
Q
Excretion
A
Toxic waste products of metabolism and substances of excess requirement being removed safely from the body
2
Q
What could metabolic waste be?
A
- CO2
- Ammonia, Urea, Uric acid (nitrogenous waste)
- Bile pigment (from breakdown of haemoglobin)
3
Q
What happens if CO2 is allowed to accumulate?
A
- Blood pH decreases, becomes more acidic
4
Q
What happens if ammonia is allowed to accumulate?
A
- Increases pH of cytoplasm and interferes with respiration and neurological processes in brain#
- From deamination of excess amino acids in liver
5
Q
What happens if urea is allowed to accumulate?
A
- Decreases water potential of cells, which increases intake of water and expand till they burst
- From ornithine cycle in liver cells
6
Q
What happens if uric acid is allowed to accumulate?
A
Arthritis
- From breaking down purines in liver
7
Q
What happens if bile pigments are allowed to accumulate?
A
- Jaundice (yellow skin)
- From breakdown of haemoglobin
