USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) Practice Exam

Which class of vertebrates is least likely to concentrate urine as a mechanism for homeostasis?

1. Osteichthyes

2. Mammals

3. Amphibians

4. Reptiles

The correct answer is: Osteichthyes

The class of vertebrates that is least likely to concentrate urine as a mechanism for homeostasis is indeed Osteichthyes, which includes bony fish. These organisms typically inhabit aquatic environments where the osmotic conditions differ significantly from those on land. Most bony fish are hyperosmotic to the surrounding water, which means they have a higher concentration of solutes in their body fluids than the surrounding water. As a result, they face a different challenge in terms of osmoregulation compared to land vertebrates. To counteract the constant influx of water, bony fish tend to produce large volumes of dilute urine to excrete the excess water while retaining ions to maintain osmotic balance. This is in sharp contrast to mammals, amphibians, and reptiles, which have evolved various mechanisms to concentrate urine in order to conserve water, especially in terrestrial habitats. Mammals have highly efficient kidneys that can produce concentrated urine, while amphibians utilize their skin for some degree of osmoregulation and can adjust their urine concentration depending on their environment. Reptiles have adapted to arid conditions and produce uric acid, which is less soluble in water, facilitating water conservation. Thus, bony fish, due to their aquatic lifestyle,