Excretion
The Excretory System
The excretory system is responsible for removing any dangerous, unnecessary and excess materials from the body. Most organs in the body will produce metabolic wastes and because of this, the entire body depends on the excretory system. The main organs of the excretory system include the urinary gland, the lungs, the skin and the faeces, all of which are described below.
The Urinary Gland
The urinary system's job is to remove waste from the organism's body (e.g. excess water) in the form of urine, with the organs used to help accomplish this task being the two kidneys, two ureters, a urinary bladder, two sphincter muscles and the urethra.
The Lungs
Although cellular respiration is required to provide our bodies with the energy our cells require, it also produces a waste product called carbon dioxide which then needs to be eliminated from the system almost instantly. The process of removing carbon dioxide is controlled solely by the lungs, as no other organ has a part in it.
The Skin
Sweat is one of the crucial parts of the excretory system as it is responsible for removing additional wastes from the organism's body such as salt. In addition to this sweat also helps the body cool down when overheated and therefore helps the organism maintain homeostasis. Sweat is excreted almost exclusively through sweat glands situated on the skin throughout the organism's body.
The Faeces
The large intestine is the organ responsible for transporting waste so it can be disposed of. Basically, it collects waste from all over the organism's body and then extracts the usable vitamins and minerals, allowing for the removal of solid waste, or faeces, which are a combination of bacteria, water and undigested food wastes.
The excretory system is responsible for removing any dangerous, unnecessary and excess materials from the body. Most organs in the body will produce metabolic wastes and because of this, the entire body depends on the excretory system. The main organs of the excretory system include the urinary gland, the lungs, the skin and the faeces, all of which are described below.
The Urinary Gland
The urinary system's job is to remove waste from the organism's body (e.g. excess water) in the form of urine, with the organs used to help accomplish this task being the two kidneys, two ureters, a urinary bladder, two sphincter muscles and the urethra.
The Lungs
Although cellular respiration is required to provide our bodies with the energy our cells require, it also produces a waste product called carbon dioxide which then needs to be eliminated from the system almost instantly. The process of removing carbon dioxide is controlled solely by the lungs, as no other organ has a part in it.
The Skin
Sweat is one of the crucial parts of the excretory system as it is responsible for removing additional wastes from the organism's body such as salt. In addition to this sweat also helps the body cool down when overheated and therefore helps the organism maintain homeostasis. Sweat is excreted almost exclusively through sweat glands situated on the skin throughout the organism's body.
The Faeces
The large intestine is the organ responsible for transporting waste so it can be disposed of. Basically, it collects waste from all over the organism's body and then extracts the usable vitamins and minerals, allowing for the removal of solid waste, or faeces, which are a combination of bacteria, water and undigested food wastes.
What would happen if waste is not removed?
If the organism for some reason is not able to excrete waste products such as carbon dioxide and undigested food products, it will slowly become poisoned by all the metabolic toxins in its body. This will eventually cause the kidneys and other vital organs to stop functioning and the death of the organism will occur as a result.
If the organism for some reason is not able to excrete waste products such as carbon dioxide and undigested food products, it will slowly become poisoned by all the metabolic toxins in its body. This will eventually cause the kidneys and other vital organs to stop functioning and the death of the organism will occur as a result.