Ureotelic

Definition

Ureotelic organisms primarily excrete nitrogenous waste in the form of urea. This process helps to conserve water and is common in terrestrial animals such as mammals, amphibians, and some reptiles.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ureotelic organisms convert ammonia into urea in the liver through the urea cycle.
2. Excreting urea instead of ammonia requires less water, making it advantageous for terrestrial life.
3. The production of urea is less toxic than ammonia, allowing it to be safely transported and stored in the body before excretion.
4. Humans are ureotelic organisms, with kidneys playing a crucial role in filtering urea from the blood.
5. Ureotelism is energy-intensive compared to ammonotelism but offers greater efficiency in water conservation.

Review Questions

• What type of nitrogenous waste do ureotelic organisms primarily excrete?
• Why is ureotelism advantageous for terrestrial animals?
• How does the toxicity level of urea compare to that of ammonia?

Related terms

Ammonotelic: Organisms that excrete nitrogenous waste primarily as ammonia.

Uricotelic: Organisms that excrete nitrogenous waste primarily as uric acid.

Urea Cycle: A series of biochemical reactions that convert ammonia into urea.