Points To Remember

Excretory Products : Ammonia (most harmful) and needs large amount

of water for excretion. Urea (less harmful) and Uric acid (least harmful) needs
least amount of water for excretion.
MODE OF EXCRETION
(On the basis of type of excretory end products)

Ammonotelism Ureotelism Uricotelism

• Excretion of ammonia • Excretion of urea • Excretion of Uric acid
• Bony Fishes, Aquatic • Mammals, Many • Snails, Reptiles,
Amphibians & Aquatic Terrestrial Amphibians Birds & Insects.
Insects. & Marine Fishes
Nephrons :
The structural and functional unit of kidneys. Each kidney contains about
one million of nephrons.
Structure of Nephron :
A nephron consists of Glomerulus, Bowman’s capsule, PCT (Proximal
Convoluted Tubule). JG A (Juxtaglomerular Apparatus), DCT (Distal Convoluted
Tubule) and the collecting duct. (Refer fig., 19.3, page 292 (NCERT Text Book
of Biology for Class XI)
Structure of Kidney :
Size 10-12 cm in length, 5-7 cm in width, 2-3 cm thick, average weight about
120-170 g.
 The blood vessels, ureter and nerves enter in the kidney through hilum
(a notch).
 The outer layer of kidney is a tough capsule.
 The outer zone of kidney is cortex and the inner is medulla.
 The medulla is divided into few conical masses (medullary pyramids)
projecting into calyces.

Excretory Products and their Elimination 229

  The cortex extends between medullary pyramids called columns of Bertini.
Refer figure 19.2, page 292 (NCERT—Class XI Biology)
Glomerular Filtration :
The filtration of blood in glomerulus, about 1100-1200 ml of blood is filtered
by the kidney per minute.
Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) :
The amount of filtrate formed by the kidney per minute is called GFR. In a
healthy individual it is about, 125 ml/minute, i.e. 180 litres per day.
Types of Nephrons :
(i) Juxtamedullary Nephron—About 15% of total nephrons, Glomeruli are
found in inner region of cortex, large in size, long loop of Henle and found
deep in medulla, associated with vasa recta control plasma volume when
water supply is short.
(ii) Cortical Nephron—About 85% of total nephron mainly lie in renal cortex,
glomeruli found in outer cortex, short loop of Henle, extends very little in
medulla. They do not have vasa recta or vasa recta is highly reduced.
Functions of Tubules :
(i) PCT—absorption of all essential nutrients and 70-80% of electrolytes and
water, helps to maintain the pH and ionic balance of body fluids by selective
secretion of H+, ammonia and K+ into filtrate.
(ii) Henele’s Loop—reabsorption in this segment is minimum, it plays a
significant role in maintenance of higher molarity of medullary interstitial
fluid.
(iii) DCT—conditional reabsorption of Na+ and water takes place here,
reabsorption of HCO3– and selective secretion of H+ and K+ and ammonia
to maintain the pH and sodium-potassium balance in blood.
(iv) Collecting duct—Large amount of water is absorbed from this region to
produce concentrated urine, it plays a role in maintenance of pH and ionic
balance of blood by selective secretion of H+ and K+ ions.
Steps of Urine Formation
1. Glomerular Filtration—Blood is filtered by glomerulus through three
membranes i.e., endothelium of blood vessel, filtration slits of Bowman’s
capsule and basement membrane between these two layers. This filtration
is called ultrafiltration as all constituents of plasma comes into filterate except
proteins.
230 Biology Class - 11
 2. Reabsorption—90% of filtrate is reabsorbed by the renal tubules by active
or passive mechanism.
It is evident by the fact that out of 180L of filtrate formed per day only 1.5
L of urine released.
3. Secretion—Tubular cells secrete H+, K+, ammonia into the urine. It maintains
acid-base balance of body fluids.

Mechanism of concentration of the Filtrate (Countercur-

rent Mechanism) :
Refer fig 19.6 page 296 (NCERT-Class XI Biology)
 This mechanism is said to be countercurrent mechanism because the out
flow (in the ascending limb) runs parallel to and in the opposite direction of
the inflow (in the descending limb).
 NaCl is transported by the ascending limb of Henle’s loop which is exchanged
with the descending limb of vasa-recta.
 NaCl is returned to the interstitium by the ascending portion of vasa recta.
 Henle’s loop and vasarecta as well as the counter current in them help to
maintain an increasing osmolality towards the inner medullary interstitium
i.e., from 300 mosmol/L in cortex to about 1200 mosmol/L in inner medulla.
 Small amount of urea enter, the thin segment of ascending limb of Henle’s
loop which is transported back to the interstitium by the collecting tubule.
 This mechanism helps to maintain a concentration gradient in the medullary
tubule interstitium.
 It helps in an easy passage of water from the collecting tubule to concentrate
the filtrate i.e. urine.
ADH (ANTIDIURETICHORMONE)
(VASOPRESSIN)

Decrease in body fluid volume Increase in body fluid volume

Activation of osmoreceptors Switch off the osmoreceptors

Stimulation of hypothalamus. Signal to hypothalamus

Release of ADH (from posterior pituitary gland) Supress the ADH release

Facilitates water reabsorption from DCT. Reduce water reabsorption

Prevent Diuresis
(Excessive loss of water from body

Excretory Products and their Elimination 231

Renin Angiotensin System
Fall in GFR
↓ Renin from JG cells
Angiotensinogen → Angiotensin I → Angiotensin II
↓ Acts on
Adrenal Cortex
↓ Secretes aldosterone
Reabsorption of Na+ and water
from DCT
↓
Increase in GFR
Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)
• Increase in blood flow to Atria of heart release of ANF.
• Causes vasodilation and does decrease blood pressure.
• ANF acts as a check on renin-angiotensin mechanism.
Micturition :
The expulsion of urine from the urinary bladder is called micturition. It is a
reflex process but can be controlled voluntarily up to some extent in grown up
children and adults.
 The CNS (Central Nervous System) sends the signal which cause the
stretching of the urinary bladder when it gets filled with urine.
 In response, the stretch receptors on the walls of the bladder sends signals
to the CNS.
 The CNS passes on motor message to initiate the contraction of smooth
muscles of the bladder and simultaneous relaxation of the urethral sphincter
causing the release of urine.
 An adult human excretes on an average 1 to 1.5 Litres of urine per day.
 On an average 25-30 gram of urea is excreted out per day.

Role of other organs in excretion :

 Lungs—removes CO2 (18L/day) and water.
 Liver—secretes bilirubin, biliverdin etc. helps to eliminate these substances

along. with cholesterol, vitamins, drugs and degraded steroid hormones

through digesive wastes.

232 Biology Class - 11

 Sweat and sebaceous glands—These glands of skin help to eliminate small


amount of urea, NaCl and lactic acid etc. through sweat while sebaceous
glands help to eliminate some substances like steroids, hydrocarbons and
waxes through sebum.
 Saliva—It can help to eliminate small amount of nitrogenous wastes.

Disorders of Excretory system :

 Uremia—The accumulation of urea in blood due to malfunctioning of kidney.
Hemodialysis—The process of removal of urea from the blood artificially.

In this process the blood from an artery is passed into dialysing unit after
adding an anticoagulant like heparin. The blood passes through coiled
cellophane tube, surrounded by dialysing fluid. The nitrogenous wastes form
the concentration gradient and the blood becomes clear. This blood is pumped
back to the body through vein after adding anti-heparin to it.
 Renal calculi—The format ion of insoluble mass of crystallised salts (oxalates
or phosphates of calcium).
 Glomerulonephritis—Inflammation of glomeruli of kidney.

Kidney Transplantation
 Kidney transplantation is done in a patient in which both the kidneys fail to work
i.e. at total failure of kidney. Kidney transplantation is the ultimate method for
treatment of renal failure. In case of kidney transplantation both the damaged kidneys
of patient are removed by surgery. And a functional kidney from a healthy donar
preferably from close relative is taken and transplanted in the body of patient. After
successful transplantation the patient and donar can survive on one kidney.

Precautions taken for successful transplantation of Kidney :

1. Kidney should be taken from a healthy donor preferably from close relative.
2. Matching of blood group and other factor and compatibility should be done
carefully before transplantation.
3. The patient (recipient) has to take some prescribed medicines
immunosuppressants through out the life to suppress the immune system.

Excretory Products and their Elimination 233

 Questions

Very Short Answer Questions (1 marks each)

1. Which gland secretes sebum ?
2. One part of loop of Henle’s is impermeable to water. Name it.
3. Besides water, name any two contents of human sweat.
4. Explain the function of vasa recta.
5. Name two types of nephrons found in human kidney.
6. Define GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate).
7. The mechanism of concentration of filtrate is also known as counter current
mechanism. Justify the statement.
8. What is micturition ?
9. Write the function of hormone ‘renin’ produced by kidney.
10. Name the excretory product of (i) reptiles (ii) Prawns (iii) Tapeworm
(iv) Marine fish (v) Insects (vi) Birds.
11. What is vasa recta ?
Short Answer Questions-I (2 marks each)
12. Mark the odd ones is each of the following—
(a) Renal pelvis, medullary pyramid, renal cortex, ureter.
(b) Afferent arteriole, Henle’s loop, vasa recta, efferent arteriole.
(c) Glomerular filtration, antidiuretic hormone, hypertonic urine, collecting duct.
(d) Proximal convoluted tubule, distal convoluted tubule, Henle’s loop
renal corpuscle.
13. In the following diagram of longitudinal section of kidney (Fig.–1) identify
and label a, b, c and d respectively.

fig. (i) fig. (ii)

234 Biology Class - 11
 14. In the diagram (Fig.-2) showing malpighian body (renal corpuscle) identify
and label p, q, r, s.
15. Name two metabolic disorder which can be diagnosed by analysis of
urine.
Short Answer Questions-II (3 marks each)
16. In the following diagram (Fig.-3) showing structure of a nephron label a, b,
c, d, e and f.

17. Describe the hormonal feed back circuit in controlling the renal functions.

18. Give three points of difference between renin and Renin.
19. What are ammonotelic, ureotelic and uricotelic animals ? Give an example
of each type of these.
20. Why is urine formation less during summers ?
Long Answer Questions (5 marks each)
21. Draw a labelled diagram of human urinary system and write one function
of each adrenal gland, ureter, urinary bladder, kidney and urethra.
22. Describe how urine is formed in the nephron through filtration reabsorption
and secretion.
OR
Explain the steps involved in the process of urine formation.

Excretory Products and their Elimination 235

 23. Distinguish between (i) Uricotelism and Ureotelism (ii) Sebum and sweat
(iii) Proximal and distal convoluted tubules (iv) Ascending and descending
limbs of Henle’s loop (v) Cortical and Medullary nephrons.

24. Explain the process of reabsorption and secretion of major substances at

different parts of nephron with the help of schematic diagram.

Case Based
25. For the regulation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) the kidneys have a
built-in mechanism. One such efficient mechanism is known as renin-
angiotensinogen system and is carried out by the distal convoluted tubule
and the afferent a arteriole at the location of their contacts. Fall in GFR can
stimulate the JG cells to release renin which can stimulate the glomerular
blood flow and thereby the GFR back to normal. An increase in blood flow
in the atria of the heart can cause the release of the Atrial natriuretic factor
(ANF). This causes vasodilation of blood vessels and thereby decreases the
blood pressure. ANF mechanism, therefor, acts as a check on renin-angiotensin
mechanism.

1. Why is GFR called ultrafiltration?

(a) As it is very efficient

(b) As it is using ultraviolet rays of filtration

(c) As all constituent of plasma come into filtrate except proteins

(d) All of the above

2. Where is JGA located?

(a) Below renal corpuscle

(b) At Henle’s loop

(c) At the contact region between distal convoluted tubule and afferent
arteriole.

(d) Below glomerulus

236 Biology Class - 11

 3. Give the causes of the release of ANF.

(a) Decrease in blood flow to the atria of the heart

(b) Increase in blood flow to the atria of the heart

(c) Decrease in blood flow to the ventricle of the heart

(d) Increase in blood flow to the ventricle of the heart

4. Which mechanism can act as a check on renin-angiotensin mechanism?

(a) Self-check and control

(b) Atrial natriuretic factor

(c) Parasympathetic system

(d) Vasopressin factor

5. What do JG cells release to control GFR?

(a) Renin

(b) Rennin

(c) Angiotensin

(d) Antidiuretic hormone

Assertion reasoning type questions:
DIRECTIONS : In the following questions, a statement of assertion (A) is
followed by a statement of the reason (R). Mark the correct choice as :
(a) If both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(b) If both (A) and (R) true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(c) If (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) If both (A) and (R) are false
26. Assertion : In cortical nephrons vasa recta is absent or highly reduced.
Reason : Cortical nephrons are mainly concerned with the concentration of
urine.

Excretory Products and their Elimination 237

 27. Assertion : Comparative to uric acid urea is a more toxic excretory substance.
Reason : Birds and insects are uricotelic animals.
28. Assertion : Vasopressin increases the water permeability of the distal
convoluted tubule.
Reason : In absence of ADH, water reabsorption is considerably reduced.

Answers

Very Short Answer (1 mark each)

1. Sebaceous glands (wax–glands)

2. Ascending limb.

3. Sodium chloride, lactic acid, glucose (any two).

4. It helps to retain reabsorbed ions and urea in the interstitial fluid of the
medulla, to maintain its high osmotic pressure.

5. (i) Juxta medullary nephron (ii) Cortical nephron

6. The amount of filtrate formed by the kidney per minute.

7. In the ascending limb, the outflow runs parallel to and in the opposite direction
of the inflow in the descending limb.

8. The act of passing out urine from urinary bladder.

9. Renin is used to convert angiotensinogen to angiotensin.

10. (i) Uric acid (ii) Ammonia (iii) Ammonia (iv) Urea (v) Uric Acid
(vi) Uric acid.

11. Capillary network running parallel to loop of Henle is known as Vasa recta.

Short Answer-I (2 marks each)

12. (a) Ureter (b) Henle’s loop (c) Glomerular filtration (d) Renal Corpuscle.

238 Biology Class - 11

 13. Refer fig. 19.2, page 292 (NCERT Class XI-Biology)

14. Refer fig. 19.4 page 293 (NQERT class XI-Biology)

15. Glycosuria, Ketonuria

Short Answer-II (3 marks each)

16. Refer fig. 19.3, page 292, (NCERT class XI-Biology)
17. Refer content 19.5, page 297 (NCERT class XI-Biology).

18. Rennin Renin

(i) It is a proteolytic enzyme. (i) It is a hormone that acts as an enzyme.
(ii) It helps in the digestion of milk (ii) It converts the protein angiotensinogen
protein. into angiotensin
(iii) It is secreted as an inactive (iii) It is secreted as renin.
form Prorennin which is
activiated to rennin by HC1.
(iv) Its secretion is stimulated by (iv) It secretion is stimulated by a reduction
food. of Na+ level in tissue fluid.

19. Refer content given in the beginning of the chapters of NCERT Text Book
page 290 class XI-Biology or Points to remember of this support material.
20. Due to sweating in summers blood volume is decreased. ADH is secreted
from hypothalamus which increase reabsorption from D.C. tubules thus
amount of urine is decreased.

Long Answer (5 mark each)

21. Refer fig. 19.1, page 291 and content 19.1 (NCERT Text Book page Class
XII-Biology)
22. Refer content points to remember of this support material.
23. Refer the content given in the chapter or NCERT Text Book Class-XI Biology
at pages 290, 298 (19.7), 292 and 293 respectively./Points to remember of
this chapter of support material.
Excretory Products and their Elimination 239
 24. Refer content 19.3 and content fig. 19.5 at page 294-295 (NCERT Text Book
Class XI-Biology).

25. 1. (c)

2. (c)

3. (c)

4. (b)

5. (a)

26. (c)

27. (b)

28. (b)



240 Biology Class - 11

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