Excretory System Flashcards
Organs in the excretory system
skin, liver, large intestine, lungs, and kidneys
Excretion
Excretion is the process of removing wastes and excess water from the body. It is an essential process in all living things, and it is one of the major ways the human body maintains homeostasis.
Homeostasis
A state of balance among all the body systems needed for the body to survive and function correctly. In homeostasis, body levels of acid, blood pressure, blood sugar, electrolytes, energy, hormones, oxygen, proteins, and temperature are constantly adjusted to respond to changes inside and outside the body, to keep them at a normal level.
Waste Products in Human Body
Carbon Dioxide
Water
Salts
Urea
Uric Acids
How is carbon dioxide removed from the body?
At each cell in your body, oxygen is exchanged for a waste gas called carbon dioxide. Your bloodstream then carries this waste gas back to the lungs where it is removed from the bloodstream and then exhaled. This process is automatically performed and is called gas exchange.
How is excess water removed from the body?
After you drink water, it doesn’t take long at all for your body to absorb it. Unlike foods, water can be “digested” in as little as 5 minutes. Excess water leaves your body through urination and faeces but is also excreted by sweating.
How is excess water removed from the body?
After you drink water, it doesn’t take long at all for your body to absorb it. Unlike foods, water can be “digested” in as little as 5 minutes. Excess water leaves your body through urination and faeces but is also excreted by sweating.
What role does the skin play in excretion?
The skin plays a role in excretion through the production of sweat by sweat glands. Sweating eliminates excess water and salts, as well as a small amount of urea.
What role do the lungs play in excretion?
The lungs in the respiratory system excrete some waste products, such as carbon dioxide and water.
What role do the livers play in excretion?
The liver plays a crucial role in excretion by removing waste products and toxins from the body. It does this through several processes, including bile production, metabolism, and filtration.
What role do the kidneys play in excretion?
The kidneys are an essential part of the excretory system, responsible for filtering the blood and removing waste products from the body. The primary role of the kidneys in excretion is to regulate the concentration of water and electrolytes in the body, while eliminating waste products and excess substances, including urea, creatinine, uric acid, and various drugs.
