231k views
5 votes
Why is uric acid advantageous for nitrogenous waste excretion in insects?

a) Uric acid is a main component of urine.
b) It has low toxicity.
c) Uric acid is insoluble in water.
d It costs less energetically to produce uric acid rather than ammonia.

User Conrod
by
7.5k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Uric acid is advantageous for nitrogenous waste excretion in insects because it is insoluble in water and has low toxicity. This allows for the waste to be excreted in a solid form, conserving water and reducing the risk of toxicity. Additionally, producing uric acid costs less energetically than producing ammonia, making it a more efficient method of waste excretion. Therefore, uric acid is a main component of insect urine and is essential for their survival in arid environments where water conservation is critical.

User Qingbo
by
8.2k points