The Advantage of Excreting Nitrogenous Wastes as Urea Rather Than

Question

The advantage of excreting nitrogenous wastes as urea rather than as ammonia is that
A)urea can be exchanged for Na⁺.
B)urea is less toxic than ammonia.
C)urea requires more water for excretion than ammonia.
D)urea does not affect the osmolar gradient.
E)less nitrogen is removed from the body.

Accepted Answer

Urea is less toxic than ammonia and can be stored in higher concentrations in the body without causing harm. Ammonia is highly toxic and must be excreted immediately, while urea can be stored and excreted later in a less toxic form. Urea also requires less water for excretion than ammonia, making it more efficient for animals that live in dry environments or have limited access to water.