Chapter 11: Excretion

Students should be able to:

(a) Define excretion and explain the importance of removing nitrogenous and
other compounds from the body

(b) Outline the function of kidney tubules with reference to ultra-filtration

and selective reabsorption in the production of urine

(c) Outline the role of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) in the regulation of

osmotic concentration

(d) Outline the mechanism of dialysis in the case of kidney failure

11.1 Metabolism, Waste Product and Excretion

11.1.1 Definitions
• Metabolism = Catabolism + Anabolism

Complex molecules are broken down into Simple molecules are built up into more
smaller, simpler ones eg. Cellular respiration complex, larger ones eg. Photosynthesis

• Excretion = Removal of metabolic waste products and toxic

materials from the body of an organism.

11.1.2 Main waste products

• CO2
o Produced during cellular respiration
o Dissolves in water  carbonic acid  affect pH  affect
enzyme activity
o Excreted from the lungs
• Excess water
o Produced by respiring cells
o Can dilute body fluids  water flows into body cells from
surrounding
o Excreted mainly from kidneys
• Urea
o Produced when excess amino acids in diet are deaminated in
the liver
o Can affect enzyme activity
o Is the most harmful of the metabolic wastes
o Excreted mainly from the kidneys
• Excess heat

1
 o Produced by respiring cells
o Can raise body temperature  affect enzyme activity
o Excreted mainly from skin, kidneys and lungs

11.2 Excretion of Carbon Dioxide

11.2.1 Process

CO2 from respiring Carbonic acid is formed

cells diffuse into red  changes to
blood cells hydrogencarbonates HCO3- moves into
plasma  lungs
High
CO2

In LUNGS
• HCO3-  CO2
• CO2 diffuses out of capillaries into alveolar cavity
during expiration (breathing in)

11.3 The Mammalian Urinary System

11.3.1 Kidneys
• Functions: Removal of Urea and excess water from the blood
• Consists of: Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder, Urethra

• Selective reabsorption
o Useful substances are reabsorbed along the nephron  maintain
pH and composition of blood plasma

• Regulate salt & water balance in body fluid

o Whenever amount of liquid taken in increases  kidneys remove
more water

2
 o Less amount of liquid taken  kidneys remove less water (see
selective reabsorption)
Functions
11.3.2 Structure of kidneys
Organ that produces urea
and remove it together
with excess water from the
blood

Functions
Tube that transfer
Functions urine from kidneys
to the bladder
Opening which
allows urine to
pass through

Functions
Elastic, muscular
bag which stores
urine

Functions
Muscles that
relaxes to allow
urine to flow into
the urethra

3
 11.3.3 Structure of a Nephron Ultrafiltration  water,
mineral salts, glucose,
amino acids and
nitrogenous waste
products

Filtrate contains
• Excess water
• Mineral salts
• Urea &
nitrogenous waste
product

Normal contents of
urine: Selective Reabsorption
• Water (96g)  Water reabsorbed by
• Mineral salts osmosis
(1.8g)  Glucose, amino acids
• Urea (2.0 g) absorbed back into the
• Other renal capillaries by
nitrogenous active transport
waste (0.2g)

4
11.4 Dialysis Machine

• Allow urea &

waste product to
diffuse out
(small)
• Does not allow
body cells to
diffuse out (big)

• Contains
essential salts for
the body

• Tubing is long
and coiled 
increase S.A: Vol
ratio  speed up
rate of exchange
of substances
btw blood &
dialysis fluid