Which of the following substances is excreted by sweat glands in response to the breakdown of proteins and the formation of ammonia?

Rationale

Urea is excreted by sweat glands in response to the breakdown of proteins and the formation of ammonia.

Urea is a key nitrogenous waste product formed during protein metabolism, and it is eliminated through sweat, urine, and other bodily fluids. Its excretion helps regulate nitrogen levels in the body, particularly when proteins are broken down, resulting in the formation of ammonia.

A (Water) YOUR ANSWER

Water is a major component of sweat, primarily serving as a cooling agent for the body through evaporation. Although it is excreted by sweat glands, it is not a waste product resulting from protein breakdown. Instead, it is a necessary solvent and transport medium for various substances in the body.

B (Sebum) YOUR ANSWER

Sebum is an oily substance produced by sebaceous glands, not sweat glands, and it serves to lubricate and protect the skin and hair. It is not involved in the excretion of nitrogenous waste or the metabolism of proteins, making it irrelevant to the question regarding the breakdown of proteins and ammonia formation.

C (Urea) CORRECT

Urea is indeed the correct answer as it is synthesized in the liver from ammonia—a byproduct of protein metabolism—and is excreted in sweat as well as urine. Its role is crucial in detoxifying ammonia, making it less toxic and facilitating its elimination from the body.

D (Lysozymes) YOUR ANSWER

Lysozymes are enzymes that play a role in the immune response by breaking down bacterial cell walls. They are not excreted in significant amounts by sweat glands and are unrelated to the processes of protein metabolism or ammonia formation. Their primary function lies in antimicrobial activity, not waste excretion.

Conclusion

Urea is the primary substance excreted through sweat glands as a result of protein breakdown and ammonia formation. While water is present in sweat, it does not represent a metabolic waste product, and substances like sebum and lysozymes serve different biological functions unrelated to nitrogenous waste. Thus, urea stands out as the critical compound associated with the metabolic processes in question.

Which of the following substances is excreted by sweat glands in response to the breakdown of proteins and the formation of ammonia?

Urea is excreted by sweat glands in response to the breakdown of proteins and the formation of ammonia.

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