What is metanephridia?

1 Answer
Apr 3, 2018

Metanephridium is a type of excretory gland found in invertebrates such as annelids, arthropod and mollusca.

Explanation:

https://goo.gl/images/X2skco
(useruploads.socratic.org)

A metanephridium typically consists of a ciliated funnel opening into the body cavity connected to a duct which may be variously glandularised, folded or expanded and which typically opens to the organisms exterior.
These ciliated tubules pump water carrying surplus ions, metabolic waste, toxins from food and useless hormones out of the organism by directing them down funnel shaped bodies called nephrostomes.
This waste is passed out of the organism at the nephridiopore.

Body fluid is drawn in from the nephrostome, substances are filtered, selected or reabsorbed as necessary. The primary urine produced by filteration of blood is modified into secondary urine through selective reabsorption by the cells lining the metanephridium.

This functions in both osmoregulation and excretion.