Biology Matters G.C.E.

'O' Level (2nd Edition): Textbook Answers Chapter 11

Chapter 11 Excretion in Humans

Test Yourself 11.1 (page 223)

1. (a) Excretion is the process by which metabolic waste products and toxic
materials are removed from the body of an organism.
(b) Metabolism is the sum of all the biochemical reactions that take place
within the body of an organism.
(c) Egestion is the removal of undigested material from the alimentary
canal.

Test Yourself 11.2 (page 228)

(a) A – nephron
B – renal artery
C – renal vein
D – ureter
(b) To transport urine to the urinary bladder.
(c) The blood in B is oxygenated whereas the blood in C is deoxygenated. The blood in
B has more urea and other nitrogenous waste products than C.

Test Yourself 11.3 (page 232)

A decrease in blood pressure leads to a decrease in ultrafiltration rate. Waste products

may accumulate in Mrs Tay’s blood if they are not removed fast enough.

Test Yourself 11.4 (page 234)

1. A large amount of salt in the diet lowers the water potential of blood plasma. Tissue
cells lose water to the blood. Blood volume increases, leading to a rise in blood
pressure.

2. (a) Alcohol reduces the production of ADH, causing the kidney tubules
reabsorb less water.
(b) The urine would be more dilute (less concentrated) and urine volume
would increase.

Test Yourself 11.5 (page 237)

(a) Urea molecules, uric acid, creatinine, excess water or mineral salts.
(b) Diffusion
(c) Glucose
(d) Partially permeable

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11.1
 Biology Matters G.C.E. 'O' Level (2nd Edition): Textbook Answers Chapter 11

Get It Right (page 239)

(a) False
An example of excretion is the removal of urine from the human body.
(b) False
Urea is produced in the liver and excreted in the kidneys.
(c) True
(d) True
(e) True
(f) False
The dialysis machine removes metabolic waste via diffusion while the kidney
nephrons remove metabolic waste products through ultra filtration and selective
reabsorption.

Let’s Review (page 239)

Section A: Multiple-Choice Questions

1. B
2. B

Section B: Structured Questions

1. (a) Urea
(b) Glucose and amino acids.
They are selectively reabsorbed by active transport in the nephron.

2. (a) Essential salts would diffuse out of the blood into the dialysis fluid.
(b) The tubing is narrow, long and coiled to increase the surface area to
volume ratio. This speeds up the rate of exchange of substances
between the blood and the dialysis fluid.
(c) The opposite directions of flow maintain the diffusion gradient for the
removal of waste products. If the directions of flow were the same,
the efficiency of removing metabolic waste products from the blood
would be reduced.

Section C: Free-Response Questions

(a) On a hot day, the rate of sweat production is increased. Loss of water in sweat
lowers the water potential in the blood plasma. More ADH is secreted, making the
collecting ducts in kidneys more permeable. More water is reabsorbed. Smaller
volume of urine produced. Urine is also more concentrated.
(b) On a cold day, sweat glands are less active. Less ADH is secreted, making the
collecting ducts in kidneys less permeable. Less water is reabsorbed. Larger
volume of urine produced. Urine is also more diluted.
* (c) Fall in blood pressure decreases rate of ultrafiltration in nephrons. Less filtrate is
produced, leading to less urine being produced.

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11.2