Question 9 Terrestrial animals are generally either ureotelic or uricotelic, not ammonotelic, why?
Class - XI - Biology Chapter Excretory Products and their Elimination Page No. 301
Answers
Answered by
6
Terrestrial animals are either ureotelic or uricotelic, and not ammonotelic. This is because of the following two main reasons: (a) Ammonia is highly toxic in nature. Therefore, it needs to be converted into a less toxic form such as urea or uric acid. (b) Terrestrial animals need to conserve water. Since ammonia is soluble in water, it cannot be eliminated continuously. Hence, it is converted into urea or uric acid. These forms are less toxic and also insoluble in water. This helps terrestrial animals conserve water.
Answered by
1
Terrestrial animals are generally either ureotelic or uricotelic, not ammonotelic because:
→ Ammonia is the most toxic form and requires large amount of water for its elimination, whereas uric acid, being the least toxic, can be removed with a minimum loss of water. Therefore, it needs to be converted into a less toxic form such as urea or uric acid.
→ As ammonia is readily soluble, is generally excreted by diffusion across body surfaces or through gill surfaces (in fish) as ammonium ions. Hence, it is converted into urea or uric acid. These forms are less toxic and also insoluble in water. This helps terrestrial animals conserve water.
→ Ammonia is the most toxic form and requires large amount of water for its elimination, whereas uric acid, being the least toxic, can be removed with a minimum loss of water. Therefore, it needs to be converted into a less toxic form such as urea or uric acid.
→ As ammonia is readily soluble, is generally excreted by diffusion across body surfaces or through gill surfaces (in fish) as ammonium ions. Hence, it is converted into urea or uric acid. These forms are less toxic and also insoluble in water. This helps terrestrial animals conserve water.
Similar questions