Mechanism of Ammonotelism
Ammonotelism is the process by which nitrogenous wastes—mostly proteins and amino acids are transformed into ammonia by the process of deamination. Ammonia (NH3) and other keto acids that are produced when proteins are metabolised in amino groups (-NH2) from amino acids are removed, by the process known as deamination which takes place in the liver or other specialized cells of the organism. After being released, the ammonia is subsequently carried to the gills or other excretory organs where it is finally discharged into the water body.
Ammonia is highly soluble in water and can permeate through biological membranes. As a result, once discharged in the external environment, it gets diluted by the water, reducing its harmful effects. Hence, in order to eliminate ammonia, ammonotelic organisms need a enormus water. Insufficient aqueous medium can cause hazardous ammonia levels to build up, which may cause cellular damage and eventually death of organisms in the water body.
The mechanism can be understood in the steps given below:
- Deamination: Enzymatic deamination of amino acids results in the production of keto-acids and ammonia.
- Transport: Transport of ammonia to the excretory organs occurs.
- Excretion: Aquatic organisms discharge ammonia into the surrounding environment, through gills.
- Dilution and Dispersal: Ammonia diffuses and gets diluted in the nearby water or soil.
- Regulation: Ammonia levels are regulatedby a variety of physiological and behavioral processes, guarding against toxicity.
Ammonotelism
Ammonotelism is the process of the excretion of waste by a group of organisms, primarily aquatic species. Ammonotelism animals need to protect their internal environments from toxic by-products which are the result of metabolic processes. Understanding ammonotelism mechanism involves learning how organisms excrete toxic ammonia directly as their primary nitrogenous waste product. In this article, we will cover ammonotelism notes, its mechanism, advantages and disadvantages with some examples.
Table of Content
- What is Ammonotelism?
- Excretion
- Ammonotelism Animals
- Mechanism of Ammonotelism
- Advantages of Ammonotelism
- Disadvantages of Ammonotelism
- Ammonotelism Examples
- Difference Between Ammonotelism and Ureotelism
- Conclusion – Ammonotelism
- FAQs on Ammonotelism