Which of the following organisms eliminate nitrogenous waste mainly in the form of uric acid?
- A. Freshwater Fish
- B. Amphibians
- C. Birds
- D. Mammals
Explanation
Uric acid is almost insoluble, so it can be excreted as a paste with very little water, which suits birds both for flight and for developing inside a shelled egg where waste must be stored safely. Freshwater fish excrete ammonia directly into the surrounding water, and mammals and adult amphibians make urea. The choice of waste product tracks how much water the animal can afford to lose.