Excretion

Excretion
 The removal of metabolic wastes, toxins and
substances in excess of requirement.
 E.g. lungs excrete carbon dioxide in exhaled air
 skin removes excess water, salts and some urea
 Kidney removes urea, excess water and salts,
Spent hormones and drugs.
What is urea?
 Excess amino acids cannot be stored
by the body.
 The liver removes the nitrogen part
(Amine)of the excess amino acids to
form the urea molecule, the
remainder of the amino acid contains
C,H &O and can be used to release
energy. This is called de-amination.
 Urea leaves the liver in the blood
(hepatic vein) it travels with the blood
stream till it reaches the kidney.
 Urea molecule, also referred to as
nitrogenous waste compound.
The excretory system
Nephron: the building unit of kidney 10
How does the nephron work? 10
Nephron parts & their functions 10

Part Function

Glomerulus Filtration of blood; water, urea, glucose, amino

acids, salts can pass out but plasma proteins and
cells cannot
Renal capsule Collects the filtrate
First convoluted Selective reabsorption of water, glucose, amino
tubule acids by active transport
Loop of Henle Reabsoption of water and salts
Second convoluted Secretion of wastes into the filtrate
tubule
Collecting duct Reabsorption of water, passes urine to pelvis
Normal constituents of urine
 Urine is composed of mostly water, dissolved urea, salts, spent
hormones, alcohol and drugs.
 Proteins are large molecules that cannot pass through the
capillaries. If they are found in urine this person may be suffering
from a kidney disease, or has kidney failure.
 Glucose is normally reabsorbed completely, its presence in urine
indicated that the person is suffering from diabetes.
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Kidney Dialysis machine 10