Excretory System
Cells produce waste that result from chemical reactions. These wastes include carbon dioxide, salts, and urea. Urea is poisonous to cells and is produced when amino acids (protein building blocks) are broken down. Multicellular organisms, unlike unicellular organisms require a system to remove the wastes from the body. That system is the excretory system or urinary system. It eliminates non solid wastes through sweat, exhalation, and urine. This helps the body maintain homeostasis. The main organs of the excretory system are the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.
The kidney's do the lions share of the work in the excretory system. The kidneys filter the blood for wastes. They do this by diverting the blood flow from an artery and moving it into a tiny network of capillaries called nephrons. The nephrons filter out waste and lets the glucose, amino acids, vitamins, and ions reabsorb into the red blood cells. The water reabsorption depends on the water level in the body. If the water level is low, then water is reabsorbed very quickly. However, if there is a high amount of water in the body, less water is absorbed. The wastes, some water included, are then filtered out then travel down the ureter for storage in the urinary bladder. They then exit the body as urine.
Excretory System Stations
Create an entry in your journal titled "Excretory System Stations". Answer the following questions in complete statements.
1. What is the function of the excretory system?
2. What are the main organs of the excretory system?
3. What is the purpose of the kidneys in the excretory system?
4. What is the importance of reabsorption?
5. What happens if there is a high amount of water in the blood?
6. What other body systems does the excretory system work with?
7. What is the ultimate goal of all body systems?
1. What is the function of the excretory system?
2. What are the main organs of the excretory system?
3. What is the purpose of the kidneys in the excretory system?
4. What is the importance of reabsorption?
5. What happens if there is a high amount of water in the blood?
6. What other body systems does the excretory system work with?
7. What is the ultimate goal of all body systems?