5 Questions
Which function does the excretory system primarily serve?
Maintaining internal chemical homeostasis
In what forms do most waste substances leave the body in humans and other amniotes?
Urine and to some degree exhalation
What is considered a part of the excretory system in the narrow sense?
Urinary system
What is the dual function of excretory systems?
Elimination of waste products of metabolism and draining the body of used up and broken down components
Why are excretory functions not usually used in more formal classifications of anatomy or function?
Excretion involves several functions that are only superficially related
Study Notes
Excretory System Functions
- The excretory system primarily serves to remove waste and excess substances from the body.
Waste Elimination
- In humans and other amniotes, most waste substances leave the body in the form of urine, feces, and sweat.
Excretory System Components
- In the narrow sense, the excretory system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
Dual Function of Excretory Systems
- Excretory systems have a dual function: they remove waste and excess substances, and also help regulate the body's balance of water, salts, and electrolytes.
Classification of Excretory Functions
- Excretory functions are not usually used in more formal classifications of anatomy or function because they are often considered a secondary function of other systems, such as the urinary and integumentary systems.
Test your knowledge of the excretory system with this quiz. Explore the functions and components involved in removing waste products from the body and maintaining internal balance.
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