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==Species Differences in the Ability To Conserve Water==

==Species Differences in the Ability To Conserve Water==

Mammals and birds can produce urine both more and less concentrated than plasma in order to conserve or excrete water.  The excretion is done without interfering with the levels of solute excretion.  The ability to concentrate urine depends greatly on a species access to water.  Animals with access to lots of water have less of a need and therefore have not evolved great mechanisms to concentrate urine for example the beaver.  However animals who have limited access to water and say live in more arid environments have evolved very good mechanisms to reabsorb lots of water and produce a very concentrated urine. An example of this is the kangaroo rat which lives in a desert habitat.

Mammals and birds can produce urine both more and less concentrated than plasma in order to conserve or excrete water.  The excretion is done without interfering with the levels of solute excretion.  The ability to concentrate urine depends greatly on a species access to water.  Animals with access to lots of water have less of a need and therefore have not evolved great mechanisms to concentrate urine for example the beaver.  However animals who have limited access to water and say live in more arid environments have evolved very good mechanisms to reabsorb lots of water and produce a very concentrated urine. An example of this is the kangaroo rat which lives in a desert habitat.

[[Category:Water Balance and Homeostasis]]

[[Category:Water Balance and Homeostasis]]