D3. Exretory System Flashcards
Excretion
- Process of removing waste and excess water from the body
- One of the major ways the body maintains homeostasis
Key Organs Involved in Excretion
- Kidneys (filter blood and produce urine)
- Lungs (expel CO2 during respiration)
- Skin (sweating)
- Liver (excretion of certain metabolic products)
Principle Organs of the Excretory System
Kidney
- Main organ of the excretory system
- Excretes waste products and regulates water and salt balance
Principle Organs of the Excretory System
Ureter
Tube extending from each kidney that carries urine to the urinary bladder
Principle Organs of the Excretory System
Urinary Bladder
Sac that stores urine until it is eliminated from the body
Principle Organs of the Excretory System
Urethra
Tube leading from the urinary bladder through which urine exits the body
Functions of the Excretory System
- Filtration of blood (remove waste and extra stuff)
- Balancing water and minerals (like sodium and potassium)
- Blood pressure regulation
- Balanced blood pH
- Makes blood cells (produces a hormone that tells your body to make red blood cells)
- Getting rid of waste (like urea and creatinine)
- Helping with detoxicification (help get rid of drugs/toxins)
- Small part in regulating blood sugar by managing how much glucose is kept or released
Urine
Liquid waste product produced by the kidneys through the filtration of blood
Urine Composition
- Water ~95%
- Urea
- Creatinine
- Uric Acid
Urea
A nitrogenous waste product resulting from the breakdown of proteins
Creatinine
A waste product from muscle metabolism
Uric Acid
Formed during the breakdown of DNA and RNA
Importance of Urea Formation
Nitrogen Elimination
Urea is a non-toxic compound that carries excess nitrogen, a by-product of protein breakdown, out of the body
Importance of Urea Formation
Prevents toxicity
Ammonia, an intermediate in deamination, is toxic to cells. Converting it to urea in the liver prevents harmful effects on cellular function
Importance of Urea Formation
Safe Excretion
Urea can be safely transported in the bloodstream to the kidneys for excretion in urine, efficiently eliminating nitrogen waste