Birds and insects excrete uric acid rather than urea mainly because
Correct answer: C. uric acid is almost insoluble and can be excreted as a paste, saving water
- A. uric acid is more toxic and so must be removed faster
- B. they have no liver in which to make urea
- C. uric acid is almost insoluble and can be excreted as a paste, saving water
- D. uric acid contains no nitrogen
Explanation
Being nearly insoluble, uric acid can be voided as a semi solid with very little water, which suits animals that must conserve water and, in birds and reptiles, allows waste to be stored safely inside a shelled egg. Uric acid is in fact the least toxic of the three common nitrogenous wastes. Making it costs more energy than making urea, which is the trade off for saving water.
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About Excretion
Excretion removes metabolic wastes such as carbon dioxide, urea and excess salts, and differs from egestion, which removes undigested food. Questions cover kidney structure, nephron ultrafiltration, selective reabsorption and urine formation, along with the excretory roles of the lungs, skin and liver in maintaining homeostasis.
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