Difference Between Protonephridia and Metanephridia

What are Nephridia?

Nephridia are the excretory organs which is present in invertebrates. They resemble kidneys in vertebrates closely.

What are Protonephridia?

Planarians and other flatworms possess basic excretory organ called protonephridia. These structures facilitate the body’s mechanisms of excretion and osmoregulation.

What are Metanephridia?

Metanephridia are more complicated excretory organs than protonephridia. These have been observed in worms with segments, for instance earthworms.

What are Flame Cells?

The most basic freshwater invertebrates, such as flatworms, comprise specialized excretory cells termed as flame cells. They eliminate waste materials just like a kidney in human body.

What do You Understand by Osmoregulation?

The mechanism that controls an organism’s electrolytic balance and fluid osmotic pressure is known as osmoregulation.

Are Protonephridia and Metanephridia the Same?

While they are not identical, protonephridia and metanephridia are similar. Metanephridia are more complicated excretory organs that occur in annelids and certain other invertebrates, whereas protonephridia are basic excretory structures found in flatworms.

Do Annelids Have Protonephridia or Metanephridia?

Annelids posses metanephridia for osmoregulation and excretion.

Why Protonephridia are Called Flame Cells?

Due to the flickering look caused by their beating cilia, which resemble a flame, protonephridia are also known as flame cells.

The difference between protonephridia and metanephridia lies in their structure and function. Protonephridia and metanephridia are parts of the excretory system of invertebrates. They resemble kidneys in function and eliminate the hazardous nitrogenous waste from the system.

The main difference between protonephridia and metanephridia is that protonephridia are simple excretory structures found in flatworms, while metanephridia are more complex excretory organs found in higher invertebrates. In this article, we will discuss the difference between Protonephridia and Metanephridia.