Difference Between Secretion And Excretion

The difference between Secretion and Excretion is that the secretion eliminates waste from the body, while the excretion is the movement of substances throughout the body. Materials travel through the body throughout each of these processes. The removal of waste substances such as urea and carbon dioxide is called Excretion. Excretion occurs in plants, microbes, and animals. Secretion, on the other hand, involves the release of certain chemical substances known as Hormones and other lubricants. These are important for carrying out various functions in the body.

Difference Between Secretion And Excretion

Following are the differences between Excretion and Secretion:

Characterisitics	Secretion	Excretion
Definition	Secretion is the process by which a gland or cell produces and releases a beneficial material inside the body.	Excretion is the process by which the body gets rid of metabolic waste products like carbon dioxide and urea
Active/Passive	Secretion is an Active process	Excretion is a Passive process.
Organs	Secretion occurs in the Salivary glands, Digestive glands, Endocrine glands, Pancreas, Liver, and Gallbladder.	The excretion process involves the Rectum, Lungs, Tear ducts, and Skin.
Products	Materials like Hormones, Gastric juices, Saliva and Enzymes are secreted in the body.	Materials like Carbon dioxide, Sweat and Tears are excreted from the body.
Role	Secreted chemicals have a role in the body’s metabolism.	Excretion is primarily concerned with the removal of bodily wastes.

What is Secretion?

Secretion is when a gland or a cell produces and releases a beneficial material. In addition to secreting hormones and enzymes that assist and control intricate biochemical processes, body tissues also release several chemicals that act as lubricants and moisturizers. To go to their place of action, hormones are released into the blood circulation. Enzymes and hormones control and expedite biological reactions. Saliva supplies protection, lubrication, and moisture.

Examples of Secretion in Animals

Different types of secretions occur in both humans and animals. They are listed below:

• Digestive Secretions- Salivary glands and digestive glands release secretions that aid in digestion
• Hormonal secretions- Endocrine and Exocrine glands release secretions known as Hormones.
• Exocrine Secretions – Exocrine glands like sweat glands and sebaceous glands release their secretions onto the surface.
• Reproductive Secretions – Organs like Testes and Ovaries secrete hormones.
• Lubricative Secretions – Goblet cells in the stomach release mucus secretions.
• Defensive Secretions – Certain animals release toxic secretions to hunt or escape from a predator.
• Pheromones Secretions- Animals communicate with each other by releasing pheromones.

What is Excretion?

Excretion is the body’s process of getting rid of metabolic waste products like carbon dioxide and urea. By preserving the acid-base balance and regulating inorganic ions and water, excretion aids in regulating osmotic pressure. Therefore, the primary objective of excretion is to preserve homeostasis within an organism’s internal environment. Amoeba is one type of protozoan that uses Diffusion to expel waste. Higher multicellular species, on the other hand, have organs specifically designed for excretion. The principal Excretory Organs in vertebrates are the Kidneys, which eliminate urine and regulate body water levels. Human excretion also involves the liver, lungs, and skin. Sweat excretes a tiny quantity of water, salt, and urea from the skin.

Excretion in Animals and Humans

Humans and animals excrete waste through multiple organs like lungs, kidneys, skin, etc. Animals like frog, salamander release carbon dioxide through their skin. Fish remove carbon dioxide via their gills.

To know more please refer to the article “Various Modes of Excretion: Functions and Importance“.

Conclusion

The two methods for transporting items throughout the body are secretion and the biological process of Excretion. The body’s organs and glands create and release metabolically important substances. Excretion is essentially in charge of waste disposal from the body, such as urea and carbon dioxide. As a result, the major differentiation between these two processes is their biological role.

FAQ’s – Secretion and Excretion

1. How is Secretion different from Excretion?

The body’s materials migrate throughout each of these processes. However, there is a distinction between secretion and excretion: Secretion is the movement of materials inside the body, whereas Excretion is the removal of waste from the body.

2.What is Secretion in Human Body?

Secretion is the process by which a gland or a cell produces and releases beneficial materials inside the body.

3. Why is Excretion Necessary?

Excretion aids in the removal of harmful waste products from our bodies and is crucial for osmoregulation, or the preservation of the body’s homeostasis. Water, carbon dioxide, excess salts, and nitrogenous substances like urea and uric acid are examples of frequent excretory products.

4. Is urine an Excretion or a Secretion?

Urine is a type of Excretion. The kidney’s primary job is to excrete hazardous substances and bodily waste into the urine.

5. What organ is Responsible for Secretion?

Endocrine glands are the ones that are involves in the secretion process. The pancreas is an endocrine gland that secretes hormones like glucagon and insulin. Other endocrine glands are thyroid, Parathyroid, Hypothalamus, etc.