- Excretory products are waste materials that are eliminated from the body.
- The main excretory products in humans are carbon dioxide, water, urea, and uric acid.
- Carbon dioxide is produced as a waste product of cellular respiration and is eliminated through the lungs during breathing.
- Water is a byproduct of various metabolic processes and is excreted through urine, sweat, and respiration.
- Urea is the primary nitrogenous waste product in mammals and is formed in the liver from the breakdown of proteins. It is excreted through urine.
- Uric acid is the nitrogenous waste product in birds and reptiles. It is formed from the breakdown of nucleic acids and is excreted through urine.
- The kidneys are the main organs of excretion in humans. They filter blood and remove waste products, excess water, and toxins to form urine.
- Other organs involved in excretion include the lungs, which eliminate carbon dioxide, and the skin, which eliminates water and small amounts of waste products through sweat.
- The process of excretion helps maintain homeostasis by regulating the balance of water, electrolytes, and pH levels in the body.
- Disorders of the excretory system can lead to various health problems, such as kidney disease, urinary tract infections, and metabolic disorders. Treatment may involve medications, lifestyle changes, or surgery.