Excretion & its role in Homeostasis: Types of Nitrogenous wastes, Ammonia, Urea & Uric acid

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Welcome to my KZbin Channel Power of Knowledge Academy. In this video you will learn about Excretion, Role of Excretion in homeostasis, Types of Nitrogenous wastes like Ammonia, Urea and Uric acid and other excretory products that humans excrete through Urination.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
00:22 - Excretion
01:16 - Role of Excretion in Homeostasis
04:53 - Types of Nitrogenous Wastes
05:33 - Ammonia Excretion
07:09 - Urea Excretion
09:00 - Uric Acid Excretion
10:12 - Other Excretory products
13:12 - Short review of Whole video
Excretion Overview:
Excretion is a vital biological process in which organisms remove metabolic and other non-useful waste materials from the body. This process is crucial for maintaining homeostasis, which involves regulating internal conditions such as temperature, pH, and solute concentration to sustain stable and optimal living conditions.
Types of Nitrogenous Wastes:
Organisms metabolize proteins and nucleic acids, which produce nitrogen-containing wastes that must be eliminated effectively. The primary types of nitrogenous wastes are ammonia, urea, and uric acid. Each has distinct properties, production mechanisms, and evolutionary advantages depending on an organism’s habitat and physiology.
1. Ammonia (NH3)
Properties: Ammonia is highly soluble in water and extremely toxic if allowed to accumulate. It requires a significant amount of water to be safely excreted.
Organisms: Primarily excreted by aquatic organisms, including bony fish and aquatic invertebrates, where it diffuses easily into the surrounding water.
Metabolic Cost: Ammonia is energy-efficient to produce because it requires little to no conversion, but its high toxicity demands a habitat with ample water to dilute and remove it quickly.
2. Urea (CO(NH2)2)
Properties: Urea is less toxic than ammonia and more soluble in water. It can be concentrated in the body, which reduces the water required for its excretion.
Organisms: Many terrestrial mammals, including humans, and some marine species excrete urea. Amphibians and some cartilaginous fish (like sharks) also produce urea.
Metabolic Cost: Urea formation occurs in the liver through the urea cycle and consumes more energy than ammonia production. However, its lower toxicity allows organisms to conserve water and excrete waste less frequently.
3. Uric Acid (C5H4N4O3)
Properties: Uric acid is practically insoluble in water and is excreted as a paste or dry pellet, which minimizes water loss.
Organisms: Birds, reptiles, and many arthropods (like insects) excrete uric acid. This adaptation is particularly beneficial in arid environments or in situations where water conservation is crucial.
Metabolic Cost: Producing uric acid is energetically expensive, but the ability to excrete waste with minimal water loss is a significant advantage in dry habitats.
Here are the other excretory products found in human urine:
1. Water The largest component of urine, water serves as the solvent for all other substances, facilitating their excretion.
2. Urea As discussed, urea is the main nitrogenous waste product derived from the breakdown of proteins and is less toxic than ammonia, allowing for safer storage and excretion.
3. Uric Acid This is another nitrogenous waste that results from the breakdown of nucleic acids.
4. Creatinine Produced from muscle metabolism, specifically from the breakdown of creatine phosphate, creatinine is a constant in urine and is used clinically to assess kidney function.
5. Electrolytes Various electrolytes are also excreted in urine, including sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate.
6. Hormones and Metabolites Hormones and their metabolites, such as epinephrine metabolites and steroid hormones, are excreted in urine
7. Toxins and Drugs Various exogenous substances, including drugs and their metabolites, as well as toxins, are eliminated through urine. This process is crucial for detoxifying the body.
8. Bilirubin Derivatives While most bilirubin is excreted through bile into the feces, some derivatives like urobilinogen are excreted in the urine, giving it a characteristic yellow color.
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