Excretory Systems in Organisms

The process of removing waste products from the body.

Metabolic waste products are removed from the blood, maintaining the balance of water and electrolytes.

Maintaining stable conditions in the body, like water and salt balance.

Waste removal helps cells function properly, regulating blood contents.

Single-celled organisms dispose of waste directly through their surface, plants use photosynthesis to recycle some CO2.

Contractile vacuoles are organelles found in some unicellular organisms, like paramecium and amoeba. Their primary function is to pump out excess water from the cytoplasm, maintaining the cell's water balance.

Flame cells are specialized excretory cells found in flatworms like planaria. They are connected to tubules and have a characteristic flickering appearance. They filter waste products from the body and help maintain fluid balance.

Nephridia are excretory organs found in earthworms. Each body segment typically has a pair of nephridia. Each nephridium consists of a ciliated funnel that collects waste products from the body fluid. These wastes are then processed and expelled through a nephridiopore.

Plants don't have a specialized excretory system. Instead, they rely on various organs for excretion. Stomata and lenticels release carbon dioxide and water through transpiration. Hydathodes release water and salt in the form of drops. Roots excrete waste into the soil. Plants store nitrogenous waste as calcium oxalate crystals in vacuoles.

Plants use various methods to excrete waste. Water and carbon dioxide are released through stomata and lenticels. Hydathodes release excess water and salt in the form of drops. Roots excrete some waste into the soil. Nitrogenous waste is stored in vacuoles as calcium oxalate crystals.