EXCRETION

Chemical reactions taking place inside living cells are called metabolism.
During metabolism, digested food, water and oxygen are used up.
The waste products of metabolism are carbon dioxide, urea and excess water.

Excretion is the process of removing toxic materials, waste

products of metabolism and substances in excess of
requirements.

Why is excretion important?

Because the waste products are toxic and poisonous to the cell.

EXCRETORY ORGANS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED PRODUCTS

Note: Urea is produced when

amino acids (digested protein) are
broken down in the liver.

THE REMOVAL OF CARBON DIOXIDE FROM THE LUNGS

Carbon dioxide is produced during respiration. Carbon dioxide then diffuses out
of the blood into the alveoli of the lungs, and is then breathed out.

THE REMOVAL OF UREA FROM THE BODY

Urea is produced through the process of deamination in the liver from excess
amino acids. Urea is carried to the kidney where it is filtered and leaves the body
in the form of urine.

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 THE STRUCTURE OF THE KIDNEY AND THE URINARY SYSTEM

THE FUNCTION OF THE KIDNEYS

As an excretory organ removing metabolic waste from the blood.

As an osmoregulator:

a) It maintains the concentration of the blood.

b) When a person drinks too much water, the blood becomes dilute, more urine
is produced and discharged.

c) When salt solution is drunk, the blood becomes more concentrated, less urine
will be produced and discharged.

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 THE HUMAN URINARY SYSTEM

The renal artery carries blood from the aorta to the kidney.
When blood reaches the kidney, urea, excess water and mineral salts are removed to
form urine.
The urinary bladder stores the urine.
The sphincter muscle is a ring of muscle that controls the release of urine from the
urinary bladder through the urethra to the outside.
Kidneys are responsible for removing waste and at the same time retaining
substances that are needed by the body.

DIFFERENCES IN CONTENT OF BLOOD IN THE RENAL VEIN AND THE RENAL ARTERY

REMEMBER!

Renal artery = brings waste products to the kidneys.

Renal vein = brings cleaned blood away from the kidneys.

Blood content RENAL VEIN RENAL ARTERY

Oxygen Less More
Carbon More Less
dioxide
Urea Less More
Digested food Less More

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