Question

Which of the following are not ureotelic?
A. Mammals
B. Terrestrial amphibians
C. Aquatic insects
D. Birds/Snake

Answer 1

Hint: Excretion is the mechanism through which the waste from an organism’s bodies is removed by the organisms. The waste is mainly waste nitrogen. Ureotelic organisms excrete nitrogenous waste in the form of urea, according to the type of nitrogen waste organisms are classified into.

Complete answer: Excretion, the mechanism by which animals free themselves from waste products and from the metabolism of nitrogen by-products. Animals regulate osmotic pressure, the balance between inorganic ions and water, and maintain acid-base equilibrium by excretion. The process of removing urea-like excretory material is called ureotelism; thus, ureotelic species are called organisms that exhibit ureotelism.
-Urea is comparatively less toxic than ammonia and can be retained for some period and excreted at a lower rate. As urea removal involves a reasonable quantity of water (50 ml of water for 1 gm of urea), it has been seen in terrestrial amphibians (toads, frogs), mammals, and marine fish.
-Uricotelic organisms are considered animals that excrete uric acid as an excretory substance. Uricotelic, for instance, are terrestrial arthropods (including insects), lizards, snakes, and birds. Uricotelic organisms are all those species that typically excrete their nitrogen-containing waste material in the form of uric acid and urates.
-Uric acid removal demands less water, is relatively less water-soluble, and is less toxic relative to ammonia. It is also found in reptiles and birds, Therefore, birds/snakes are not urothelial.
Hence, the correct answer is D- birds/snakes.

Note: Ammonotelism is another type of excretion mechanism found in living organisms. Ammonotelic species are classified as organisms that excrete their metabolic waste in the form of ammonia. Ammonia excretion needs a lot of water in order for the body to remove more water. Due to this reason, aquatic organisms that have constant access to water, such a means of excretion is necessary.