Excretion Flashcards
excretion
refers to the removal of metabolic wastes produced in the body. it is distinguished from elimination. most of the bodies activities produce waste that needs to be removed
Elimination
removal of indigestible material
All metabolic processes lead to
the production of mineral salts which must be excreted by the kidneys
Excretions in protozoans and cnidarians
all cells are in contact with the external aqueous environment. Water soluble wastes like ammonia and carbon dioxide exit by simple diffusion. This type of excretion is passive.
vacuole
some fresh water protozoa possess a contractile vacuole, an organelle specialized for water excretion by active transport. excess water continually diffuses into the cell is collected and pumped out to maintain volume and pressure.
excretion in annelids
in earthworms the carbon dioxide excretes through the moist skin.
also two pairs of nephridia in each body segment excrete water and mineral salts and nitrogenous wastes in the form of urea
excretion in arthropods
in insects CO2 is released from the tissues into adjacent tube like tracheae which are continuous with the external air through openings called spiracles.
nitrogenous waste from arthropods
excreted in the form of solid uric acids crystals. the use of solid waste is an adaption for the conservation of water. Mineral salts and uric acid accumulate in Malphigian tubes and are transported to the intestine to be expelled with the solid wastes of digestion.
principal organs of excretion in the human
lungs, liver, skin and kidneys.
lungs
release carbon dioxide and water vapor diffuse from the blood into the alveoli and are continually exhaled.
skin
excretes water and dissolved salts (and a small quantity of urea). perspiration also serves to regulate body temperature since the evaporation of seat produces cooling
liver
processes nitrogenous wastes, blood pigment wastes and other chemicals for excretion.
-urea is produced by the deamination of amino acids in the liver and diffuses to the blood for ultimate excretion in the kidneys.
The kidneys
regulate concentration of salt and water in the blood through the formation and excretion of urine.
-bean shaped and are located behind the stomach and liver. each kidney is composed of approximately 1 million nephrons
kidney structure
divided into three regions: the outer cortex the inner medulla and the renal pelvis. The nephron is positioned such that the loop of Henle runs through the medulla, while the convoluted tubules and Bowman’s capsule are in the cortex.
nephron
functional unit of the kidney consist of a bulb called the Bowman’s Capsule, which embraces a special capillary bed called a glomerulus.
- Bowman’s leads to a long coiled tube that is divided into distinct sections, proximal convoluted tubule, the loop of Henle and the distal convoluted tubule and the collecting duct.
- most of the neprhon is surrounded by a complex peritubular capillary network to facilitate re-absorption of amino acids, glucose, salts and water.