Explain Ammonotelism with an example.

The excretion of ammonia and ammonium ions is called Ammonotelism. Ammonia forms with the oxidation of amino groups. When proteins are converted into carbohydrates, these amino groups are removed from the proteins. It is a very toxic substance to tissues and extremely soluble in water. For the excretion of ammonia ($NH_3$), a large amount of water is required. Large amounts of water maintain ammonia levels in the excretory fluids to prevent toxicity. The marine organisms that excrete ammonia into the water are called ammonotelic. Protozoans, echinoderms, poriferans, cnidarians, etc. are ammonotelic animals.

Ammonotelism: It is the excretion of ammonia or ammonium ions. Other terms associated with ammonotelism are:

(i) Ureotelism: Excretion of urea.

The chemical processes taking place in the liver and kidney convert ammonia into urea. Urea is less toxic than ammonia. Animals, mainly amphibians and mammals, show this process and are called ureotelic.

(ii) Uricotelism: Excretion of excess nitrogen in the form of uric acid. The organisms like insects, birds and most reptiles are uricotelic animals.

Note: Ammonia, urea, uric acid and creatinine are nitrogenous wastes. Ammonia, rea, uric acid and creatinine are nitrogenous wastes. All these substances are produced from protein metabolism and are excreted in urine or feces. The elimination of these compounds enables the organism. The metabolic wastes are excreted in the form of water solutes through excretory organisms.