Excretion and Kidney Function
Excretion removes metabolic waste products from the body. The kidneys are the primary excretory organs, filtering blood to remove urea, excess salts, and water as urine.
What You Need to Know
Key Concept Diagram
Excretion removes waste products of metabolism such as urea, carbon dioxide, and excess salts
The kidneys filter blood in nephrons, reabsorbing useful substances and excreting waste as urine
Urea is produced in the liver from the breakdown of excess amino acids
The kidneys regulate water balance (osmoregulation) in the body
Key Vocabulary
Excretion
The removal of metabolic waste products from the body
Nephron
The functional filtering unit of the kidney
Urea
A waste product formed from the breakdown of excess amino acids in the liver
Osmoregulation
The regulation of water and salt balance in the body's fluids
Knowledge Check
Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.
Question 1
Where is urea produced in the body?
Question 2
You drink a large amount of water. What would you expect your urine to look like?
Question 3
What is the correct order of urine production in the kidney?
Key Concepts Summary
- ●Excretion removes waste products of metabolism such as urea, carbon dioxide, and excess salts
- ●The kidneys filter blood in nephrons, reabsorbing useful substances and excreting waste as urine
- ●Urea is produced in the liver from the breakdown of excess amino acids
- ●The kidneys regulate water balance (osmoregulation) in the body