Excrete

From WikiMD's Wellnesspedia

Excrete is a biological process where an organism eliminates waste substances from its body. This process is crucial for the maintenance of homeostasis within the organism. The waste substances excreted include metabolic waste, foreign substances, and excess substances.

Types of Excretion[edit | edit source]

There are three main types of excretion in living organisms: Cellular Excretion, Organ Excretion, and Whole Organism Excretion.

Cellular Excretion[edit | edit source]

Cellular excretion is the process by which individual cells eliminate waste substances. This is typically achieved through the process of diffusion or active transport.

Organ Excretion[edit | edit source]

Organ excretion is the process by which organs such as the kidneys, lungs, and skin eliminate waste substances. The kidneys excrete waste in the form of urine, the lungs excrete carbon dioxide and water vapor, and the skin excretes sweat.

Whole Organism Excretion[edit | edit source]

Whole organism excretion is the process by which an entire organism eliminates waste substances. This is typically seen in single-celled organisms such as bacteria and protozoa.

Excretion in Humans[edit | edit source]

In humans, the main organs involved in excretion are the kidneys, lungs, skin, and the liver. The kidneys filter the blood and remove waste substances, forming urine. The lungs excrete carbon dioxide and water vapor during respiration. The skin excretes sweat, which contains water, salts, and urea. The liver plays a crucial role in detoxification and excretes waste substances through bile.

Excretion in Plants[edit | edit source]

In plants, excretion is a bit different from animals. Plants excrete oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis. They also excrete waste substances into the soil through their roots or into the air through their leaves.

See Also[edit | edit source]


Excrete Resources

Find a healthcare provider anywhere in the world quickly and easily!

Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.


Contributors: Bonnu, Prab R. Tumpati, MD, Dr.T