excretion Flashcards
definition of excretion
removal of metabolic waste products and toxic substances from the body
what is metabolism?
metabolism = catabolism + anabolism
* anabolism : simple molecules built up into complex molecules with intake of energy
* catabolism: complex molecules broken down into simple molcules with release of energy
why must metabolic waste products be removed from the body?
- harmful if accumulates in body
egestion vs excretion
- egestion: removal of undigested matter not produced by metabolism
- excretion: removal of metabolic waste products
how do unicellular and multicellular organisms carry out excretion
- unicellular: by diffusion
- multicellular: by special excretory organs
parts of urinary system
- hilum
- kidney
- ureter
- bladder
- sphincter muscle
- urethra
what is the hilum
depression where renal artery, renal vein and nerves are connected to kidney
what is the kidney
- bean-shaped organ
- removes nitrogenous waste products (deamination of amino acids), mineral salts (neutralisation reaction) and excess water
- regulates salt and water balance in blood plasma
- mantains pH and composition of blood plasma
what is the ureter
- narrow tube that emerges from hilum
- brings urine from kidney to bladder
what is the bladder
elastic, muscular bag that stores urine
what is the spincter muscle
- found at bottom of bladder
- controls urine flow
what is the urethra!!!!!
duct which urine passes from bladder to outside the body
what do renal arteries vs renal veins do
- renal arteries - bring oxygenated blood containing urea and excess water from heart to kidney
- renal veins - bring deoxygenated blood (no urea or excess water) from kidney to heart
what are the 2 regions of the kidney
- cortex : outer darker red region enclosed by fibrous capsule
- medulla: inner thicker paler red region, contains pyramids
structure of a nephron
- basic functional unit of kidney
- each kidney has 1 million nephrons
- tiny tubules where urine is formed
- open into the collecting duct (tube)