Scribd
Upload
42 views2 pages

8-The Excretory System

Uploaded by

yadhugulanravendran5
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
42 views2 pages

8-The Excretory System

Uploaded by

yadhugulanravendran5
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

THE EXCRETORY SYSTEM

Page 1 of 2
Domain: 4.8
describes features of living things

Metabolism
All the chemical reactions occurring in an organism’s cells are called the metabolism of the organism.
Excretion is the removal of the waste products of metabolism.

The Excretory Organs


The main organs of excretion are: Vertical section of skin:

1. Lungs-
These organs excrete carbon dioxide and water vapour.
The lungs will be examined in more detail in the respiratory
system.

2. Skin-
The skin secretes sweat which contains water, salt and
some urea. Sweat is secreted by sweat glands. Skin contains
about 3 million sweat glands. Sweat is used by the body to help
control body temperature.
The diagram shows the structure of skin.

3. Liver-
The liver is the body’s largest organ. It has many functions.
Those associated with excretion are:
(a) Production of Urea-
Urea is formed from the amino acids that are required for
growth and repair.
(b) Conversion of poisons into harmless substances-
Poisonous substances entering the blood from the
digestive tract are made harmless in the liver.
(c) Breakdown of old red blood cells-
Since red blood cells do not have a nucleus, after about
four months they wear out. The liver breaks the red blood
cells down.

4. Kidneys-
The kidneys are the most important excretory organs. The functions of the kidney are:
(a) To excrete urea;
(b) To control the level of water in body;
(c) To maintain correct levels of salts and other blood constituents.
A narrow tube called the ureter runs from each kidney to the bladder. The liquid containing wastes from the kidneys
is called urine. Urine is stored in a muscular organ called the bladder. Leading from the bladder is a tube called the
urethra which runs to the outside of the body. A muscle at the base of the bladder controls urine leaving the bladder.
Normally the muscle is contracted so that urine cannot escape. To empty the bladder the muscle relaxes and the
muscles in the wall of the bladder contract to force the urine out. This process is called urination.
The kidneys consist of microscopic filtration units called nephrons. There are approximately a million nephrons in
each kidney. The nephrons filter out substances like urea and salts. These substances, with water, form urine.
Only one kidney is necessary as it can adequately perform all the functions necessary for a normal life.
The diagram on the next page shows the location of the two kidneys.
THE EXCRETORY SYSTEM
Page 2 of 2

The kidneys and bladder form the urinary system: The table below shows the amount of water taken in
and given out by a human in a day:

Water taken in:

Drinking 1500 ml
Water in food 800 ml
Water produced in
cell reactions 300 ml
Total 2600 ml

Questions:
1. What is metabolism?
2. What is excretion?
3. What are the four main excretory organs?
4. What products do the lungs excrete?
5. (a) What does the skin excrete?
(b) What does sweat consist of?
(c) Where is sweat secreted from?
6. (a) Complete the sentence:
‘The liver is the body’s _____________ organ.’
(b) What are three functions of the liver?
7. (a) What are three functions of the kidneys?
(b) What is the liquid containing wastes from the
kidneys called?
(c) What is the function of the ureter?
(d) Where is urine stored? Water given out:
(e) What is the function of the urethra?
(f) What happens during the process of urination?
8. (a) What are the microscopic filtering units located Urine 1500 ml
inside the kidneys called? Sweat 600 ml
(b) What do these microscopic units filter out? Water in breath 400 ml
(c) How many kidneys are needed for a normal life? Water in faeces 100 ml
9. What percentage of the total water taken in by a
human in a day is water:
(a) from drinking?; (b) water from food?; Total 2600 ml
(c) water produced in cell reactions?
Note- %= volume x 100
2600 1
10. What percentage of the total water given out by a
human in a day is in:
(a) urine?; (b) sweat?; (c) breath?; (d) faeces?

You might also like