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Chapter: 06. Excretory System
Waste Products vs. Excretory Products
Point of Comparison
Waste Products
Excretory Products
Definition
Unusable or unwanted substances produced during various metabolic processes in the body.
Metabolic wastes which are eliminated from the body.
Storage Capability
Not mentioned in text
Cannot be stored inside the body.
Human Organs of Excretion
Organ
Associated Structure / Unit
Excretory Products
Form or Method of Excretion
Kidneys
Nephrons (uriniferous tubules)
Water, urea, uric acid (nitrogenous waste), and excess of salts.
Urine
Skin
Sweat glands
Excess of water, salts (like sodium chloride), and urea.
Sweat (released through tiny pores on the skin surface)
Lungs
Not mentioned in text
Carbon dioxide and water vapour.
Gaseous waste in exhaled air
Liver
Liver cells
Bile pigments, toxins, urea, extra vitamins, and drugs.
Urea is transported to the kidneys; other products are not mentioned in text
Components of the Renal Excretory System
Organ
Physical Description & Structure
Location
Primary Function
Kidneys
Two reddish-brown, bean-shaped structures (7–10 cm long, 2.5–4 cm across) containing about a million nephrons.
Abdominal cavity, one on either side of the backbone at the level of the last two ribs.
Filters the blood, removing excess water and nitrogenous wastes to form urine.
Ureters
Two narrow tubes.
Arise from the inner side of each kidney and open into the urinary bladder.
Carry urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.
Urinary Bladder
A muscular bag.
Lower abdomen.
Collects and stores urine temporarily.
Urethra
A median muscular tube with an opening controlled by a sphincter of circular involuntary muscles.
Arises from the urinary bladder and opens to the outside.
Passes urine out of the body during urination.
Renal Blood Vessels: Renal Artery vs. Renal Vein
Point of Comparison
Renal Artery
Renal Vein
Direction of Flow
Brings blood to the kidneys.
Takes blood away from the kidneys.
Role in Filtration
Delivers unfiltered blood to the glomeruli.
Transports filtered blood out of the kidneys.
Processes of Urine Formation
Process
Description
Substances Involved
Location in Nephron
Ultrafiltration
Filtration of wastes from the blood.
Nitrogenous wastes and water.
From the capillaries of the glomeruli into the Bowman’s capsules.
Reabsorption
Intake of useful substances back into the blood.
Sugars, amino acids, salts, and water.
Through the walls of nephrons into the blood capillaries as filtrate moves down the tubules.
Secretion
Direct transport of remaining wastes from the blood into the tubules.
Salts and urea.
From the blood of capillaries into the tubules.
Disorders of the Urinary System: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) vs. Kidney Stones
Point of Comparison
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Kidney Stones
Cause / Origin
Bacterial infection (commonly caused by E. coli).
Crystallization and deposition of substances when present in high concentration.
Substances Involved
Bacteria (E. coli)
Crystals of calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, and uric acid.
Affected Areas
Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.
Kidney tubules, ureters, or urinary bladder.
Symptoms
• Strong and frequent urge for urination• Cloudy and strange-smelling urine• Pain and burning sensation during urination• Fever-like feeling (when infection reaches kidneys)
• Blocked flow of urine• Severe pain
Treatment
Antibiotics
• Surgery (for large stones)• Drinking large amounts of water (for small stones in ureters)
Management of Kidney Failure: Kidney Transplantation vs. Dialysis
Point of Comparison
Kidney Transplantation
Dialysis
Nature of Procedure
Surgical replacement of a damaged kidney.
Artificial filtration of blood using a machine.
Mechanism / Key Component
Uses a healthy kidney received from a suitable donor.
Uses an artificial kidney or dialysis machine equipped with cellophane tubes.
Donor Requirement
Requires a living or compatible donor.
No donor required (uses a machine).
Survival Outcome
Both the donor and the recipient can survive on one kidney each.
The patient must undergo the process periodically to survive.
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