A Study On Various Modes Of Excretion

Mar 14, 2023, 16:45 IST

In biological terms, excretion is the removal of metabolic wastes from the body. Every living organism consumes food for growth, survival and repair of the body. This food then goes through a series of biochemical reactions, upon which some food material is utilized by the body. The rest is expelled from the body through the process of excretion. Among the wide range of organisms, the various excretory products include Ammonia, Carbon Dioxide, Urea, Uric Acid, Guanine and Creatine.

In this article, we will look at various modes of excretion that are classified on the basis of the type of excretory products.

 

Overview

Every living being consumes food to keep its energy levels up. It helps them in performing different essential life functions. The food consumed is subsequently broken down chemically by the body as it moves through the digestive tract to generate energy. This energy is then sent to other bodily components to perform their functions effectively.

After the body has fully absorbed all of the nutrients and water, any leftover wastes are excreted from the body. Depending on the type of organism and the needs of the body, different excretory products are generated by these living organisms.

In this article, we will study those different modes of excretion in detail. Let’s get started.

Different Modes of Excretion

There are five modes of excretion in animals that are classified on the basis of excretory products. These include

• Ammonotelism - The excretory product is ammonia.
• Ureotelism - The excretory product is uric acid.
• Aminotelism - The excretory product is amino acids.
• Uricotelism - The excretory product is uric acid.
• Guanotelism - The excretory product is guanine.

Let’s look at each one of them in detail:

• Ammonotelism

Ammonotelism is the process of excretion in which the excretory product is Ammonia. The organisms that exhibit this type of excretion are known as ammonotelic. This type of excretion is mostly found in aquatic animals that expel ammonia directly into the environment. Some of the organisms that exhibit this type of excretion include fish, echinoderms, protozoans, poriferans and crustaceans. Since ammonia is one of the most toxic excretory products, this is considered to be the most toxic type of excretion in animals.

• Ureotelism

Ureotelism is the process of excretion in which the excretory product is Urea. The organisms that exhibit this type of excretion are known as ureotelic. In this type, the ammonia gets converted into urea in the liver of the ureotelic animals and then is mixed with the blood. The kidney finally filters out the urea and helps in eliminating it from the body. This type of excretion is mostly found in mammals and amphibians. Example: Human beings.

• Aminotelism

Aminotelism is the process of excretion in which the excretory product is an amino acid. The organisms that exhibit this type of excretion are called aminotelic. This type of excretion is mostly found in invertebrates. Example: molluscs, echinoderms

• Uricotelism

Uricotelism is the process of excretion in which the excretory product is uric acid. The organisms that exhibit this type of excretion are called uricotelic. This excretion process requires minimum water, hence, the excretory product is in the paste form. Further, uric acid is the least toxic excretory product. This type of excretion is mostly found in insects and birds.

• Guanotelism

Guanotelism is the process of excretion in which the organism converts the excretory product into guanine from ammonia. The organisms that exhibit this type of excretion are called guanotelic. Guanine is insoluble in water and also non-toxic. This excretory substance comes out in solid forms. Most animals that are found in the arid region adapt to this type of excretion. Example: Scorpions and Spiders.

Conclusion

So, these are the various modes or types of excretion. It is an extremely important process that regulates the systematic functioning of the different organs of the body, thus keeping the living organisms alive. Through this process, living organisms get rid of materials that are unwanted by the body and are toxins that should not accumulate in the body.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What are the different types of excretion?

Ans. There are five types of excretion depending upon the various types of excretory products. These include Ammonotelism, Ureotelism, Aminotelism, Uricotelism, and Guanotelism.

Q2. What is the importance of excretion?

Ans. Living organisms expel toxins by the process of excretion, in the absence of which, the toxins will remain accumulated in the body and thus endanger the life of the living organisms.

Q3. Do plants also excrete waste?

Ans. Yes. Plants undergo photosynthesis to produce oxygen and water vapor during the day and undergo respiration to produce carbon dioxide at night. The other waste product of plants is the resin which is collected on the bark of the trees.

Q4. Which organs are responsible for excretion in humans?

Ans. The process of excretion in humans is carried out through the kidneys, lungs, and skin.