{"id":5087,"date":"2015-10-28T15:56:30","date_gmt":"2015-10-28T15:56:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/chapter\/22-3-excretion-systems\/"},"modified":"2021-03-04T00:09:13","modified_gmt":"2021-03-04T00:09:13","slug":"22-3-excretion-systems","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/chapter\/22-3-excretion-systems\/","title":{"raw":"22.3.\u00a0Excretion Systems","rendered":"22.3.\u00a0Excretion Systems"},"content":{"raw":"<div class=\"section module\" title=\"41.3.\u00a0Excretion Systems\" xml:lang=\"en\">\n<div class=\"titlepage\">\n<div class=\"abstract\">\n<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-highlight\">\n<h3>Learning Objectives<\/h3>\nBy the end of this section, you will be able to:\n<div class=\"itemizedlist\">\n<ul class=\"itemizedlist\">\n \t<li class=\"listitem\">Explain how vacuoles, present in microorganisms, work to excrete waste<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"listitem\">Describe the way in which flame cells and nephridia in worms perform excretory functions and maintain osmotic balance<\/li>\n \t<li class=\"listitem\">Explain how insects use Malpighian tubules to excrete wastes and maintain osmotic balance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<span id=\"m44810-fs-idp44921424\"> <\/span>Microorganisms and invertebrate animals use more primitive and simple mechanisms to get rid of their metabolic wastes than the mammalian system of kidney and urinary function. Three excretory systems evolved in organisms before complex kidneys: vacuoles, flame cells, and Malpighian tubules.\n<div class=\"section\" title=\"Contractile Vacuoles in Microorganisms\">\n<div class=\"titlepage\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<h2 id=\"m44810-fs-idp224949888\"><span class=\"cnx-gentext-section cnx-gentext-autogenerated\"><span class=\"cnx-gentext-section cnx-gentext-t\">Contractile Vacuoles in Microorganisms<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<span id=\"m44810-fs-idp111471536\"> <\/span>The most fundamental feature of life is the presence of a cell. In other words, a cell is the simplest functional unit of a life. Bacteria are unicellular, prokaryotic organisms that have some of the least complex life processes in place; however, prokaryotes such as bacteria do not contain membrane-bound vacuoles. The cells of microorganisms like bacteria, protozoa, and fungi are bound by cell membranes and use them to interact with the environment. Some cells, including some leucocytes in humans, are able to engulf food by endocytosis\u2014the formation of vesicles by involution of the cell membrane within the cells. The same vesicles are able to interact and exchange metabolites with the intracellular environment. In some unicellular eukaryotic organisms such as the amoeba, shown in <a class=\"xref target-figure\" title=\"Figure\u00a041.9.\u00a0\" href=\"#attachment_1347\">Figure 22.9<\/a>, cellular wastes and excess water are excreted by exocytosis, when the contractile vacuoles merge with the cell membrane and expel wastes into the environment. Contractile vacuoles (CV) should not be confused with vacuoles, which store food or water.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1347\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"350\"]<a href=\"http:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2015\/03\/Figure_41_02_01.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-5083\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2015\/10\/Figure_41_02_01.jpg\" alt=\"Figure_41_02_01\" width=\"350\" height=\"176\"><\/a> Figure 22.9.\u00a0 Some unicellular organisms, such as the amoeba, ingest food by endocytosis. The food vesicle fuses with a lysosome, which digests the food. Waste is excreted by exocytosis.[\/caption]\n\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section\" title=\"Flame Cells of Planaria and Nephridia of Worms\">\n<div class=\"titlepage\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<h2 id=\"m44810-fs-idp16608176\"><span class=\"cnx-gentext-section cnx-gentext-autogenerated\"><span class=\"cnx-gentext-section cnx-gentext-t\">Flame Cells of Planaria and Nephridia of Worms<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<span id=\"m44810-fs-idm8894800\"> <\/span>As multi-cellular systems evolved to have organ systems that divided the metabolic needs of the body, individual organs evolved to perform the excretory function. Planaria are flatworms that live in fresh water. Their excretory system consists of two tubules connected to a highly branched duct system. The cells in the tubules are called <span id=\"m44810-autoid-cnx2dbk-id1391952\"> <\/span><strong>flame cells<\/strong><a id=\"id840791\" class=\"indexterm\" href=\"\"><\/a> (or <span id=\"m44810-autoid-cnx2dbk-id1391956\"> <\/span><strong>protonephridia<\/strong><a id=\"id840805\" class=\"indexterm\" href=\"\"><\/a>) because they have a cluster of cilia that looks like a flickering flame when viewed under the microscope, as illustrated in <a class=\"xref target-figure\" title=\"Figure\u00a041.10.\u00a0\" href=\"#attachment_1348\">Figure 22.10<\/a><span class=\"bold\"><strong>a<\/strong><\/span>. The cilia propel waste matter down the tubules and out of the body through excretory pores that open on the body surface; cilia also draw water from the interstitial fluid, allowing for filtration. Any valuable metabolites are recovered by reabsorption. Flame cells are found in flatworms, including parasitic tapeworms and free-living planaria. They also maintain the organism\u2019s osmotic balance.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1348\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"600\"]<a href=\"http:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2015\/03\/Figure_41_02_02.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-5084\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2021\/03\/Figure_41_02_02-1024x402-1.jpg\" alt=\"Figure_41_02_02\" width=\"600\" height=\"236\"><\/a> Figure 22.10.\u00a0 In the excretory system of the (a) planaria, cilia of flame cells propel waste through a tubule formed by a tube cell. Tubules are connected into branched structures that lead to pores located all along the sides of the body. The filtrate is secreted through these pores. In (b) annelids such as earthworms, nephridia filter fluid from the coelom, or body cavity. Beating cilia at the opening of the nephridium draw water from the coelom into a tubule. As the filtrate passes down the tubules, nutrients and other solutes are reabsorbed by capillaries. Filtered fluid containing nitrogenous and other wastes is stored in a bladder and then secreted through a pore in the side of the body.[\/caption]\n\n<span id=\"m44810-fs-idp230869040\"> <\/span>Earthworms (annelids) have slightly more evolved excretory structures called <span id=\"m44810-autoid-cnx2dbk-id1250409\"> <\/span><strong>nephridia<\/strong><a id=\"id840898\" class=\"indexterm\" href=\"\"><\/a>, illustrated in <a class=\"xref target-figure\" title=\"Figure\u00a041.10.\u00a0\" href=\"#attachment_1348\">Figure 22.10<\/a><span class=\"bold\"><strong>b<\/strong><\/span>. A pair of nephridia is present on each segment of the earthworm. They are similar to flame cells in that they have a tubule with cilia. Excretion occurs through a pore called the <span id=\"m44810-autoid-cnx2dbk-id1250426\"> <\/span><strong>nephridiopore<\/strong><a id=\"id840928\" class=\"indexterm\" href=\"\"><\/a>. They are more evolved than the flame cells in that they have a system for tubular reabsorption by a capillary network before excretion.\n\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section\" title=\"Malpighian Tubules of Insects\">\n<div class=\"titlepage\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<h2 id=\"m44810-fs-idp182656304\"><span class=\"cnx-gentext-section cnx-gentext-autogenerated\"><span class=\"cnx-gentext-section cnx-gentext-t\">Malpighian Tubules of Insects<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<span id=\"m44810-fs-idp19584384\"> <\/span><span id=\"m44810-autoid-cnx2dbk-id1250446\"> <\/span><strong>Malpighian tubules<\/strong><a id=\"id840959\" class=\"indexterm\" href=\"\"><\/a> are found lining the gut of some species of arthropods, such as the bee illustrated in <a class=\"xref target-figure\" title=\"Figure\u00a041.11.\u00a0\" href=\"#attachment_1349\">Figure 22.11<\/a>. They are usually found in pairs and the number of tubules varies with the species of insect. Malpighian tubules are convoluted, which increases their surface area, and they are lined with <span id=\"m44810-autoid-cnx2dbk-id1250460\"> <\/span><strong>microvilli<\/strong><a id=\"id840983\" class=\"indexterm\" href=\"\"><\/a> for reabsorption and maintenance of osmotic balance. Malpighian tubules work cooperatively with specialized glands in the wall of the rectum. Body fluids are not filtered as in the case of nephridia; urine is produced by tubular secretion mechanisms by the cells lining the Malpighian tubules that are bathed in hemolymph (a mixture of blood and interstitial fluid that is found in insects and other arthropods as well as most mollusks). Metabolic wastes like uric acid freely diffuse into the tubules. There are exchange pumps lining the tubules, which actively transport H<sup>+<\/sup> ions into the cell and K<sup>+<\/sup> or Na<sup>+<\/sup> ions out; water passively follows to form urine. The secretion of ions alters the osmotic pressure which draws water, electrolytes, and nitrogenous waste (uric acid) into the tubules. Water and electrolytes are reabsorbed when these organisms are faced with low-water environments, and uric acid is excreted as a thick paste or powder. Not dissolving wastes in water helps these organisms to conserve water; this is especially important for life in dry environments.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1349\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"600\"]<a href=\"http:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2015\/03\/Figure_41_02_03.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-5085\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2021\/03\/Figure_41_02_03-1024x473-1.jpg\" alt=\"Figure_41_02_03\" width=\"600\" height=\"277\"><\/a> Figure 22.11.\u00a0 Malpighian tubules of insects and other terrestrial arthropods remove nitrogenous wastes and other solutes from the hemolymph. Na+ and\/or K+ ions are actively transported into the lumen of the tubules. Water then enters the tubules via osmosis, forming urine. The urine passes through the intestine, and into the rectum. There, nutrients diffuse back into the hemolymph. Na+ and\/or K+ ions are pumped into the hemolymph, and water follows. The concentrated waste is then excreted.[\/caption]\n\n<div id=\"m44810-fig-ch41_02_03\" class=\"figure\" title=\"Figure\u00a041.11.\u00a0\">\n<div id=\"m44810-fs-idp248393600\" class=\"note interactive\">\n<h2 class=\"title\"><span class=\"cnx-gentext-tip-t\">Concept in Action\n<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<div class=\"mediaobject\"><span id=\"m44810-fs-idp128208352\"> <\/span><img src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2021\/03\/malpighian.png\" alt=\"QR Code representing a URL\" width=\"120\"><\/div>\n<span id=\"m44810-fs-idp156844736\"> <\/span>Visit <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/openstaxcollege.org\/l\/malpighian\" target=\"\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">this site<\/a> to see a dissected cockroach, including a close-up look at its Malpighian tubules.\n<h2>Summary<\/h2>\nMany systems have evolved for excreting wastes that are simpler than the kidney and urinary systems of vertebrate animals. The simplest system is that of contractile vacuoles present in microorganisms. Flame cells and nephridia in worms perform excretory functions and maintain osmotic balance. Some insects have evolved Malpighian tubules to excrete wastes and maintain osmotic balance.\n<div class=\"textbox exercises\">\n<h3>Exercises<\/h3>\n<ol>\n \t<li>Active transport of K<sup>+<\/sup> in Malpighian tubules ensures that:\n<ol>\n \t<li>water follows K<sup>+<\/sup> to make urine<\/li>\n \t<li>osmotic balance is maintained between waste matter and bodily fluids<\/li>\n \t<li>both a and b<\/li>\n \t<li>neither a nor b<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n \t<li><span id=\"m44810-fs-idp124306624\"><span id=\"m44810-fs-idp90879712\">Contractile vacuoles in microorganisms:<\/span><\/span>\n<ol>\n \t<li>exclusively perform an excretory function<\/li>\n \t<li>can perform many functions, one of which is excretion of metabolic wastes<\/li>\n \t<li>originate from the cell membrane<\/li>\n \t<li>both b and c<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n \t<li>Flame cells are primitive excretory organs found in ________.\n<ol>\n \t<li>arthropods<\/li>\n \t<li>annelids<\/li>\n \t<li>mammals<\/li>\n \t<li>flatworms<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n \t<li><span id=\"m44810-fs-idm17802144\">Why might specialized organs have evolved for excretion of wastes?<\/span><\/li>\n \t<li>Explain two different excretory systems other than the kidneys.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<strong>Answers<\/strong>\n<ol>\n \t<li>C<\/li>\n \t<li>D<\/li>\n \t<li>D<\/li>\n \t<li>The removal of wastes, which could otherwise be toxic to an organism, is extremely important for survival. Having organs that specialize in this process and that operate separately from other organs provides a measure of safety for the organism.<\/li>\n \t<li>(1) Microorganisms engulf food by endocytosis\u2014the formation of vacuoles by involution of the cell membrane within the cells. The same vacuoles interact and exchange metabolites with the intracellular environment. Cellular wastes are excreted by exocytosis when the vacuoles merge with the cell membrane and excrete wastes into the environment. (2) Flatworms have an excretory system that consists of two tubules. The cells in the tubules are called flame cells; they have a cluster of cilia that propel waste matter down the tubules and out of the body. (3) Annelids have nephridia which have a tubule with cilia. Excretion occurs through a pore called the nephridiopore. Annelids have a system for tubular reabsorption by a capillary network before excretion. (4) Malpighian tubules are found in some species of arthropods. They are usually found in pairs, and the number of tubules varies with the species of insect. Malpighian tubules are convoluted, which increases their surface area, and they are lined with microvilli for reabsorption and maintenance of osmotic balance. Metabolic wastes like uric acid freely diffuse into the tubules. Potassium ion pumps line the tubules, which actively transport out K<sup>+<\/sup> ions, and water follows to form urine. Water and electrolytes are reabsorbed when these organisms are faced with low-water environments, and uric acid is excreted as a thick paste or powder. By not dissolving wastes in water, these organisms conserve water.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"title\">\n<div id=\"m44810-fs-idp81908736\" class=\"exercise\">\n<div class=\"body\">\n<div id=\"m44810-fs-idp121601504\" class=\"exercise\">\n<div class=\"body\">\n<div id=\"m44810-fs-idp124335152\" class=\"solution labeled\">\n<div class=\"body\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section module\" title=\"41.5.\u00a0Hormonal Control of Osmoregulatory Functions\" xml:lang=\"en\">\n<div class=\"titlepage\">\n<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-success\">\n<h3>Glossary<\/h3>\n<dl>\n \t<dt><strong>flame cell<\/strong><\/dt>\n \t<dd>(also, protonephridia) excretory cell found in flatworms<\/dd>\n \t<dt><strong>Malpighian tubule<\/strong><\/dt>\n \t<dd>excretory tubules found in arthropods<\/dd>\n \t<dt><strong>microvilli<\/strong><\/dt>\n \t<dd>cellular processes that increase the surface area of cells<\/dd>\n \t<dt><strong>nephridia<\/strong><\/dt>\n \t<dd>excretory structures found in annelids<\/dd>\n \t<dt><strong>nephridiopore<\/strong><\/dt>\n \t<dd>pore found at the end of nephridia<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","rendered":"<div class=\"section module\" title=\"41.3.\u00a0Excretion Systems\" xml:lang=\"en\">\n<div class=\"titlepage\">\n<div class=\"abstract\">\n<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-highlight\">\n<h3>Learning Objectives<\/h3>\n<p>By the end of this section, you will be able to:<\/p>\n<div class=\"itemizedlist\">\n<ul class=\"itemizedlist\">\n<li class=\"listitem\">Explain how vacuoles, present in microorganisms, work to excrete waste<\/li>\n<li class=\"listitem\">Describe the way in which flame cells and nephridia in worms perform excretory functions and maintain osmotic balance<\/li>\n<li class=\"listitem\">Explain how insects use Malpighian tubules to excrete wastes and maintain osmotic balance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span id=\"m44810-fs-idp44921424\"> <\/span>Microorganisms and invertebrate animals use more primitive and simple mechanisms to get rid of their metabolic wastes than the mammalian system of kidney and urinary function. Three excretory systems evolved in organisms before complex kidneys: vacuoles, flame cells, and Malpighian tubules.<\/p>\n<div class=\"section\" title=\"Contractile Vacuoles in Microorganisms\">\n<div class=\"titlepage\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<h2 id=\"m44810-fs-idp224949888\"><span class=\"cnx-gentext-section cnx-gentext-autogenerated\"><span class=\"cnx-gentext-section cnx-gentext-t\">Contractile Vacuoles in Microorganisms<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span id=\"m44810-fs-idp111471536\"> <\/span>The most fundamental feature of life is the presence of a cell. In other words, a cell is the simplest functional unit of a life. Bacteria are unicellular, prokaryotic organisms that have some of the least complex life processes in place; however, prokaryotes such as bacteria do not contain membrane-bound vacuoles. The cells of microorganisms like bacteria, protozoa, and fungi are bound by cell membranes and use them to interact with the environment. Some cells, including some leucocytes in humans, are able to engulf food by endocytosis\u2014the formation of vesicles by involution of the cell membrane within the cells. The same vesicles are able to interact and exchange metabolites with the intracellular environment. In some unicellular eukaryotic organisms such as the amoeba, shown in <a class=\"xref target-figure\" title=\"Figure\u00a041.9.\u00a0\" href=\"#attachment_1347\">Figure 22.9<\/a>, cellular wastes and excess water are excreted by exocytosis, when the contractile vacuoles merge with the cell membrane and expel wastes into the environment. Contractile vacuoles (CV) should not be confused with vacuoles, which store food or water.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1347\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1347\" style=\"width: 350px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2015\/03\/Figure_41_02_01.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5083\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2015\/10\/Figure_41_02_01.jpg\" alt=\"Figure_41_02_01\" width=\"350\" height=\"176\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2015\/10\/Figure_41_02_01.jpg 544w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2015\/10\/Figure_41_02_01-300x151.jpg 300w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2015\/10\/Figure_41_02_01-65x33.jpg 65w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2015\/10\/Figure_41_02_01-225x113.jpg 225w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2015\/10\/Figure_41_02_01-350x176.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1347\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 22.9.\u00a0 Some unicellular organisms, such as the amoeba, ingest food by endocytosis. The food vesicle fuses with a lysosome, which digests the food. Waste is excreted by exocytosis.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section\" title=\"Flame Cells of Planaria and Nephridia of Worms\">\n<div class=\"titlepage\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<h2 id=\"m44810-fs-idp16608176\"><span class=\"cnx-gentext-section cnx-gentext-autogenerated\"><span class=\"cnx-gentext-section cnx-gentext-t\">Flame Cells of Planaria and Nephridia of Worms<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span id=\"m44810-fs-idm8894800\"> <\/span>As multi-cellular systems evolved to have organ systems that divided the metabolic needs of the body, individual organs evolved to perform the excretory function. Planaria are flatworms that live in fresh water. Their excretory system consists of two tubules connected to a highly branched duct system. The cells in the tubules are called <span id=\"m44810-autoid-cnx2dbk-id1391952\"> <\/span><strong>flame cells<\/strong><a id=\"id840791\" class=\"indexterm\" href=\"\"><\/a> (or <span id=\"m44810-autoid-cnx2dbk-id1391956\"> <\/span><strong>protonephridia<\/strong><a id=\"id840805\" class=\"indexterm\" href=\"\"><\/a>) because they have a cluster of cilia that looks like a flickering flame when viewed under the microscope, as illustrated in <a class=\"xref target-figure\" title=\"Figure\u00a041.10.\u00a0\" href=\"#attachment_1348\">Figure 22.10<\/a><span class=\"bold\"><strong>a<\/strong><\/span>. The cilia propel waste matter down the tubules and out of the body through excretory pores that open on the body surface; cilia also draw water from the interstitial fluid, allowing for filtration. Any valuable metabolites are recovered by reabsorption. Flame cells are found in flatworms, including parasitic tapeworms and free-living planaria. They also maintain the organism\u2019s osmotic balance.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1348\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1348\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2015\/03\/Figure_41_02_02.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5084\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2021\/03\/Figure_41_02_02-1024x402-1.jpg\" alt=\"Figure_41_02_02\" width=\"600\" height=\"236\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2021\/03\/Figure_41_02_02-1024x402-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2021\/03\/Figure_41_02_02-1024x402-1-300x118.jpg 300w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2021\/03\/Figure_41_02_02-1024x402-1-768x302.jpg 768w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2021\/03\/Figure_41_02_02-1024x402-1-65x26.jpg 65w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2021\/03\/Figure_41_02_02-1024x402-1-225x88.jpg 225w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2021\/03\/Figure_41_02_02-1024x402-1-350x137.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1348\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 22.10.\u00a0 In the excretory system of the (a) planaria, cilia of flame cells propel waste through a tubule formed by a tube cell. Tubules are connected into branched structures that lead to pores located all along the sides of the body. The filtrate is secreted through these pores. In (b) annelids such as earthworms, nephridia filter fluid from the coelom, or body cavity. Beating cilia at the opening of the nephridium draw water from the coelom into a tubule. As the filtrate passes down the tubules, nutrients and other solutes are reabsorbed by capillaries. Filtered fluid containing nitrogenous and other wastes is stored in a bladder and then secreted through a pore in the side of the body.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span id=\"m44810-fs-idp230869040\"> <\/span>Earthworms (annelids) have slightly more evolved excretory structures called <span id=\"m44810-autoid-cnx2dbk-id1250409\"> <\/span><strong>nephridia<\/strong><a id=\"id840898\" class=\"indexterm\" href=\"\"><\/a>, illustrated in <a class=\"xref target-figure\" title=\"Figure\u00a041.10.\u00a0\" href=\"#attachment_1348\">Figure 22.10<\/a><span class=\"bold\"><strong>b<\/strong><\/span>. A pair of nephridia is present on each segment of the earthworm. They are similar to flame cells in that they have a tubule with cilia. Excretion occurs through a pore called the <span id=\"m44810-autoid-cnx2dbk-id1250426\"> <\/span><strong>nephridiopore<\/strong><a id=\"id840928\" class=\"indexterm\" href=\"\"><\/a>. They are more evolved than the flame cells in that they have a system for tubular reabsorption by a capillary network before excretion.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section\" title=\"Malpighian Tubules of Insects\">\n<div class=\"titlepage\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<h2 id=\"m44810-fs-idp182656304\"><span class=\"cnx-gentext-section cnx-gentext-autogenerated\"><span class=\"cnx-gentext-section cnx-gentext-t\">Malpighian Tubules of Insects<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span id=\"m44810-fs-idp19584384\"> <\/span><span id=\"m44810-autoid-cnx2dbk-id1250446\"> <\/span><strong>Malpighian tubules<\/strong><a id=\"id840959\" class=\"indexterm\" href=\"\"><\/a> are found lining the gut of some species of arthropods, such as the bee illustrated in <a class=\"xref target-figure\" title=\"Figure\u00a041.11.\u00a0\" href=\"#attachment_1349\">Figure 22.11<\/a>. They are usually found in pairs and the number of tubules varies with the species of insect. Malpighian tubules are convoluted, which increases their surface area, and they are lined with <span id=\"m44810-autoid-cnx2dbk-id1250460\"> <\/span><strong>microvilli<\/strong><a id=\"id840983\" class=\"indexterm\" href=\"\"><\/a> for reabsorption and maintenance of osmotic balance. Malpighian tubules work cooperatively with specialized glands in the wall of the rectum. Body fluids are not filtered as in the case of nephridia; urine is produced by tubular secretion mechanisms by the cells lining the Malpighian tubules that are bathed in hemolymph (a mixture of blood and interstitial fluid that is found in insects and other arthropods as well as most mollusks). Metabolic wastes like uric acid freely diffuse into the tubules. There are exchange pumps lining the tubules, which actively transport H<sup>+<\/sup> ions into the cell and K<sup>+<\/sup> or Na<sup>+<\/sup> ions out; water passively follows to form urine. The secretion of ions alters the osmotic pressure which draws water, electrolytes, and nitrogenous waste (uric acid) into the tubules. Water and electrolytes are reabsorbed when these organisms are faced with low-water environments, and uric acid is excreted as a thick paste or powder. Not dissolving wastes in water helps these organisms to conserve water; this is especially important for life in dry environments.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1349\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1349\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2015\/03\/Figure_41_02_03.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5085\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2021\/03\/Figure_41_02_03-1024x473-1.jpg\" alt=\"Figure_41_02_03\" width=\"600\" height=\"277\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2021\/03\/Figure_41_02_03-1024x473-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2021\/03\/Figure_41_02_03-1024x473-1-300x139.jpg 300w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2021\/03\/Figure_41_02_03-1024x473-1-768x355.jpg 768w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2021\/03\/Figure_41_02_03-1024x473-1-65x30.jpg 65w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2021\/03\/Figure_41_02_03-1024x473-1-225x104.jpg 225w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2021\/03\/Figure_41_02_03-1024x473-1-350x162.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1349\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 22.11.\u00a0 Malpighian tubules of insects and other terrestrial arthropods remove nitrogenous wastes and other solutes from the hemolymph. Na+ and\/or K+ ions are actively transported into the lumen of the tubules. Water then enters the tubules via osmosis, forming urine. The urine passes through the intestine, and into the rectum. There, nutrients diffuse back into the hemolymph. Na+ and\/or K+ ions are pumped into the hemolymph, and water follows. The concentrated waste is then excreted.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div id=\"m44810-fig-ch41_02_03\" class=\"figure\" title=\"Figure\u00a041.11.\u00a0\">\n<div id=\"m44810-fs-idp248393600\" class=\"note interactive\">\n<h2 class=\"title\"><span class=\"cnx-gentext-tip-t\">Concept in Action<br \/>\n<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<div class=\"mediaobject\"><span id=\"m44810-fs-idp128208352\"> <\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/96\/2021\/03\/malpighian.png\" alt=\"QR Code representing a URL\" width=\"120\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span id=\"m44810-fs-idp156844736\"> <\/span>Visit <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/openstaxcollege.org\/l\/malpighian\" target=\"\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">this site<\/a> to see a dissected cockroach, including a close-up look at its Malpighian tubules.<\/p>\n<h2>Summary<\/h2>\n<p>Many systems have evolved for excreting wastes that are simpler than the kidney and urinary systems of vertebrate animals. The simplest system is that of contractile vacuoles present in microorganisms. Flame cells and nephridia in worms perform excretory functions and maintain osmotic balance. Some insects have evolved Malpighian tubules to excrete wastes and maintain osmotic balance.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox exercises\">\n<h3>Exercises<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li>Active transport of K<sup>+<\/sup> in Malpighian tubules ensures that:\n<ol>\n<li>water follows K<sup>+<\/sup> to make urine<\/li>\n<li>osmotic balance is maintained between waste matter and bodily fluids<\/li>\n<li>both a and b<\/li>\n<li>neither a nor b<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li><span id=\"m44810-fs-idp124306624\"><span id=\"m44810-fs-idp90879712\">Contractile vacuoles in microorganisms:<\/span><\/span>\n<ol>\n<li>exclusively perform an excretory function<\/li>\n<li>can perform many functions, one of which is excretion of metabolic wastes<\/li>\n<li>originate from the cell membrane<\/li>\n<li>both b and c<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li>Flame cells are primitive excretory organs found in ________.\n<ol>\n<li>arthropods<\/li>\n<li>annelids<\/li>\n<li>mammals<\/li>\n<li>flatworms<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li><span id=\"m44810-fs-idm17802144\">Why might specialized organs have evolved for excretion of wastes?<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Explain two different excretory systems other than the kidneys.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Answers<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>C<\/li>\n<li>D<\/li>\n<li>D<\/li>\n<li>The removal of wastes, which could otherwise be toxic to an organism, is extremely important for survival. Having organs that specialize in this process and that operate separately from other organs provides a measure of safety for the organism.<\/li>\n<li>(1) Microorganisms engulf food by endocytosis\u2014the formation of vacuoles by involution of the cell membrane within the cells. The same vacuoles interact and exchange metabolites with the intracellular environment. Cellular wastes are excreted by exocytosis when the vacuoles merge with the cell membrane and excrete wastes into the environment. (2) Flatworms have an excretory system that consists of two tubules. The cells in the tubules are called flame cells; they have a cluster of cilia that propel waste matter down the tubules and out of the body. (3) Annelids have nephridia which have a tubule with cilia. Excretion occurs through a pore called the nephridiopore. Annelids have a system for tubular reabsorption by a capillary network before excretion. (4) Malpighian tubules are found in some species of arthropods. They are usually found in pairs, and the number of tubules varies with the species of insect. Malpighian tubules are convoluted, which increases their surface area, and they are lined with microvilli for reabsorption and maintenance of osmotic balance. Metabolic wastes like uric acid freely diffuse into the tubules. Potassium ion pumps line the tubules, which actively transport out K<sup>+<\/sup> ions, and water follows to form urine. Water and electrolytes are reabsorbed when these organisms are faced with low-water environments, and uric acid is excreted as a thick paste or powder. By not dissolving wastes in water, these organisms conserve water.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"title\">\n<div id=\"m44810-fs-idp81908736\" class=\"exercise\">\n<div class=\"body\">\n<div id=\"m44810-fs-idp121601504\" class=\"exercise\">\n<div class=\"body\">\n<div id=\"m44810-fs-idp124335152\" class=\"solution labeled\">\n<div class=\"body\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section module\" title=\"41.5.\u00a0Hormonal Control of Osmoregulatory Functions\" xml:lang=\"en\">\n<div class=\"titlepage\">\n<div class=\"bcc-box bcc-success\">\n<h3>Glossary<\/h3>\n<dl>\n<dt><strong>flame cell<\/strong><\/dt>\n<dd>(also, protonephridia) excretory cell found in flatworms<\/dd>\n<dt><strong>Malpighian tubule<\/strong><\/dt>\n<dd>excretory tubules found in arthropods<\/dd>\n<dt><strong>microvilli<\/strong><\/dt>\n<dd>cellular processes that increase the surface area of cells<\/dd>\n<dt><strong>nephridia<\/strong><\/dt>\n<dd>excretory structures found in annelids<\/dd>\n<dt><strong>nephridiopore<\/strong><\/dt>\n<dd>pore found at the end of nephridia<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":90,"menu_order":62,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":"cc-by"},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[57],"class_list":["post-5087","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry","license-cc-by"],"part":5069,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/5087","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/90"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/5087\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5088,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/5087\/revisions\/5088"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/5069"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/5087\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5087"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=5087"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=5087"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/biology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=5087"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}