Nitrogenous Wastes Flashcards
(23 cards)
What are nitrogenous wastes?
Are produced as a result of the breakdown of amino acids through a process known as deamination. This results in the production of ammonia.
What may ammonia be converted into?
- Urea.
- Uric Acid.
What is ammonia?
Is extremely toxic. It is very soluble in water and requires little to no energy. It needs to be excreted in a very dilute urine and is excreted directly into surroundings.
Describe the toxicity of ammonia.
- Very high.
Describe the solubility of ammonia.
- Highly soluble.
- In some vertebrates, it can dissolve in water and pass directly through body surfaces.
- AN environment high in water is required.
Describe the energy requirement of ammonia.
Requires little to no energy.
What are 4 examples of organisms that produce ammonia?
- Fish.
- Juvenile.
- Amphibians.
- Aquatic reptiles.
What is one advantage of ammonia?
- It is excreted quickly.
What are the two disadvantages of ammonia?
- Extremely toxic.
- Build-up can denature enzymes and reduce metabolic activity.
What is urea?
Is midly toxic and moderately soluble. It is secreted and dissolved in water. It is energy expensive to produce complex molecules in organisms with a high metabolism.
Describe the toxicity of urea.
- Very low.
- Can be stored in high concentration safely.
Describe the solubility of urea.
- Moderate solubility.
Describe the energy requirement for urea.
- Energy is expensive to produce complex molecules in organisms with a high metabolism.
- High, ammonia is converted to urea in the liver.
List 3 examples of organisms that produce urea.
- Mammals.
- Most adult amphibians.
- Marine bony fish.
What are two advantages of urea?
- Less toxic than ammonia.
- Reduces water loss in the body.
What are two disadvantages of urea?
- Toxic.
- Uses a lot of energy.
What is uric acid?
Is virtually non-toxic. It is very low in solubility and is energy expensive to produce complex molecules. It is excreted without the loss of water and allow birds and reptiles to live in very dry areas.
Describe the toxicity of uric acid.
- Relatively non toxic.
Describe the solubility of uric acid.
- Insoluble.
Describe the energy requirement for uric acid.
- Energy is expensive to produce complex molecules.
- Highest as it requires the most ATP compared to the conversion of ammonia to urea.
List 2 examples of organisms that produce uric acid.
- Birds.
- Reptiles.
What is one advantage of uric acid?
- Least toxic.
What is one disadvantage of uric acid?
- Can form kidney stones.
