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.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Urea is less toxic than ammonia and requires less water for excretion compared to ammonia. Therefore, it is a better option for organisms to excrete nitrogenous wastes as urea rather than as ammonia. Urea does not affect the osmolar gradient and does not have any effect on the exchange of sodium ions. Additionally, excreting nitrogenous wastes as urea does not result in less nitrogen being removed from the body.

The Advantage of Excreting Nitrogenous Wastes as Urea Rather Than