osmoregulation and excretion

Question 1

What is osmoregulation?

Answer 1

process by which animals control solute concentration and balance water gain and loss to maintain homeostasis.

Question 2

How does water move across cell membranes in osmoregulation?

Answer 2

enters and leaves cells by osmosis

Question 3

What is the difference between osmoconformers and osmoregulators?

Answer 3

Osmoconformers: Animals are isoosmotic with their environment and do not control their internal osmolarity. Common in marine animals.

Osmoregulators: Animals that control their internal osmolarity regardless of the external environment

Question 4

How do osmoconformers manage water balance?

Answer 4

Osmoconformers live in stable water environments (like oceans) and have no tendency to gain or lose water

Question 5

What adaptations do land animals have to reduce water loss?

Answer 5

Waxy cuticle

Exoskeleton

Keratinized skin cells

Nocturnal behavior

Question 6

What are the primary ways terrestrial animals lose water?

Answer 6

Sweat

Urine/feces

Gas exchange organs

Question 7

How do land animals maintain water balance?

Answer 7

Drinking water

Eating moist foods

Producing water through cellular respiration

Question 8

What are the main forms of nitrogenous waste and how do they affect animals?

Answer 8

Ammonia: Highly toxic, requires a large amount of water to excrete. Found in aquatic animals.

Urea: Less toxic, requires more energy to produce. Found in mammals, amphibians, sharks, and some fish.

Uric acid: Non-toxic, does not dissolve in water, conserves the most water but is energetically expensive to produce. Found in reptiles, insects, and land snails.

Question 9

What is the benefit of uric acid excretion?

Answer 9

Uric acid is non-toxic, conserves the most water, and is excreted as a semi-solid paste, making it ideal for animals in dry environments.