key concept 51.2 Animals Excrete Nitrogen as Ammonia, Urea, or Uric Acid

The end products of the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats are water and carbon dioxide, which are not difficult to eliminate. Proteins and nucleic acids, however, contain nitrogen, so their metabolism produces nitrogenous wastes in addition to water and carbon dioxide.

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  • Nitrogenous waste products have different advantages in different environments.

  • Excreting uric acid conserves water.