Final answer:
Plants use transpiration and respiration instead of specialized excretory organs to manage waste, releasing byproducts such as oxygen and water vapor through leaves. Other simpler organisms utilize different excretory systems, while vertebrates have evolved kidneys for this purpose.
The correct option is c) Plants eliminate waste through transpiration and respiration
Step-by-step explanation:
Plants lack specialized excretory organs unlike animals because they have evolved alternative mechanisms for waste management. Instead of specialized organs, plants use processes such as transpiration and respiration to eliminate waste products. For example, oxygen and water vapor are byproducts of respiration and are lost through the stomata in the leaves. Additionally, waste products like oxygen, water, and various organic compounds produced during photosynthesis are released into the atmosphere through transpiration. Furthermore, plants can store some waste products in their leaves or other tissues, which might be shed when they fall off.
Comparatively, other organisms, such as microorganisms and invertebrates, use more primitive systems such as contractile vacuoles, flame cells, and Malpighian tubules for excretion to maintain osmotic balance. On the other hand, vertebrate animals have developed complex kidney and urinary systems to handle the task of excreting wastes. Nitrogenous waste, such as ammonia, urea, and uric acid, is processed differently in aquatic and terrestrial environments due to the toxicity and dilution requirements.
The correct option is c) Plants eliminate waste through transpiration and respiration