Summary
Ammonia is the waste produced by metabolism of nitrogen-containing compounds like proteins and nucleic acids. While aquatic animals can easily excrete ammonia into their watery surroundings, terrestrial animals have evolved special mechanisms to eliminate the toxic ammonia from their systems. Urea is the major byproduct of ammonia metabolism in vertebrate animals. Uric acid is the major byproduct of ammonia metabolism in birds, terrestrial arthropods, and reptiles.
Glossary
ammonia
compound made of one nitrogen atom and three hydrogen atoms
ammonotelic
describes an animal that excretes ammonia as the primary waste material
antioxidant
agent that prevents cell destruction by reactive oxygen species
blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
estimate of urea in the blood and an indicator of kidney function
urea cycle
pathway by which ammonia is converted to urea
ureotelic
describes animals that secrete urea as the primary nitrogenous waste material
uric acid
byproduct of ammonia metabolism in birds, insects, and reptiles