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Exotic Urinary System - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 11:12, 2 September 2008
, 11:12, 2 September 2008→Nitrogenous Waste
* Some organisms excrete nitrogen directly as ammonia
* Some organisms excrete nitrogen directly as ammonia
* They are known as '''ammonotelic''' organisms
* This is how fish and aquatic amphibians excrete nitrogenous waste
* This is how fish and aquatic amphibians excrete nitrogenous waste
* Relatively toxic but it is better tolerated by aquatic animals
* Relatively toxic but it is better tolerated by aquatic animals due to dilution
* 400ml of water is also excreted per gram of ammonia making this an unrealistic option for terrestrial organisms
* 400ml of water is also excreted per gram of ammonia making this an unrealistic option for terrestrial organisms
====Urea====
====Urea====
* Some animals process ammonia into urea
* Some animals process ammonia into urea
* They are known as '''ureotelic''' organisms
* Mammals and terrestrial amphibians
* Mammals and terrestrial amphibians
* 40ml of water is excreted per gram of urea excreted
* 40ml of water is excreted per gram of urea excreted
* Urea is very soluble and non-toxic
====Uric Acid====
====Uric Acid====
* Referred to as Uricotelism
* Referred to as '''Uricotelism'''
* Urea is further processed to uric acid
* Urea is further processed to uric acid
* Carried out by birds and reptiles
* Carried out by birds and reptiles
* Only 8ml of water is co-excreted per gram
* Only 8ml of water is co-excreted per gram
* Highly insoluble
* Highly insoluble and less toxic than ammonia, though it can precipitate into body cavities
==Fish==
==Fish==