The Excretory System: Adaptations Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is the cloaca?
Common chamber and outlet for digestive, urinary, and reproductive tract in amphibians, reptiles and aves.
List the 3 functions of the cloaca
1.excretion
2.reproduction
3.water conservation
How does the cloaca help with excretion?
The cloaca allows reptiles to excrete urine and faeces from the same opening
How does the cloaca help with reproduction?
Reproductive tract empties into the cloaca, fertilisation occurs in the cloaca
How does the cloaca help with water conservation?
Some species have a modified cloacae for increased water absorption and conservation
List the 5 parts of the cloaca
Coprodeum
Urodeum
Proctodeum
Vent
Bursa of fabricius
What is the coprodeum? List it’s function
The most cranial compartment, receives faeces from the rectum.
What is the urodeum? List it’s function
Middle compartment where ureters and genitive ducts open
What is the proctodeum? List it’s function
Caudal compartment, leading to the vent
What is the vent? List it’s function.
The external opening, droppings and eggs are expelled
What is the bursa of fabricius? list it’s function
Lymphoid organ, located on the dorsal wall of the proctodeum, involved in immune function
Why are desert animals excretory systems adapted?
To prevent dehydration
Why can desert animals survive long periods without drinking?
They retain moisture from their food
Why do camels store fat in their humps?
It can be converted into water
How have desert animals kidneys been adapted?
They produce highly concentrated urine to minimise water loss
Why do some desert animals have little to no sweat glands?
Limits water loss through perspiration
Why are desert animals more active during the evening and night?
They can rest in shade during the day
Why do desert animals have an elongated loop of henle?
For higher urine concentration, it allows them to absorb more water from filtrate.
How have aquatic animals excretory systems adapted?
They have structures like gills or mucous nets that act as filters
How do gills and mucous nets work?
As the animals move through: allow water to flow over them and use their filtering organs to extract:
Small particles
Food
Other matter
How have aquatics animals adaptations benefited the environment?
Improved water quality: removes particles harmful to the environment, lowering the concentration
Plays a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by controlling populations of plankton and other organisms by removing excess nutrients
Plays a vital role in bioaccumulation and are indicator organisms
What are indicator organisms?
Microorganisms that are utilised as a surrogate to evaluate the presence of pathogens in the environment
