Table of Contents
Types of Waste Metabolic and Non-Metabolic
Non-metabolic wastes are not produced as a result of the body’s normal metabolic processes. They are usually the result of environmental exposures, such as pollutants in the air or water, or of lifestyle choices, such as smoking.
Metabolic wastes are the byproducts of the body’s normal metabolic processes. The most common metabolic wastes are carbon dioxide and urine.
Metabolic Wastes
Metabolic wastes are the byproducts of the body’s chemical reactions. These wastes can be harmful if they are not eliminated from the body. The most common metabolic wastes are ammonia, carbon dioxide, and urea.
Non- Metabolic Wastes
Non- metabolic wastes are those wastes that are not produced as a result of the body’s metabolism. Some common examples of non- metabolic wastes include sweat, urine, and feces.
Specific Elimination Mechanisms
There are a variety of specific elimination mechanisms that can occur in the body. One example is the renal system, which eliminates waste products and excess water from the body through the kidneys. The liver also eliminates toxins from the body through the bile duct. The lungs eliminate carbon dioxide and water vapor from the body. Sweat glands in the skin eliminate sweat, which contains water and salts.
Nonspecific Mechanisms of Waste Disposal
Nonspecific mechanisms of waste disposal are the ways in which the body gets rid of waste products. These mechanisms include diffusion, filtration, osmosis, and active transport. Diffusion is the process by which molecules move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. Filtration is the process of forcing fluids and dissolved substances through a semi-permeable membrane. Osmosis is the process of diffusion of water molecules across a semi-permeable membrane. Active transport is the process of using energy to move molecules across a membrane.
