Salt gland meaning

A salt gland is a specialized organ in marine animals that helps them excrete excess salt from their bodies.


Salt gland definitions

Word backwards tlas dnalg
Part of speech Noun
Syllabic division salt gland has two syllables: salt-gland
Plural The plural of the word "salt gland" is "salt glands."
Total letters 9
Vogais (1) a
Consonants (6) s,l,t,g,n,d

Salt gland is a specialized organ found in marine birds and reptiles that helps in excreting excess salt from the body.

The main function of the salt gland is to maintain the electrolyte balance in the body by removing excess salt obtained from the consumption of seawater or salty foods.

Structure of Salt Gland

The salt gland is usually located near the eyes or nostrils of marine animals and consists of tubular structures that filter out salt from the bloodstream.

Function of Salt Gland

The salt gland works by actively secreting concentrated salty fluid through the nostrils or other openings, allowing the animal to get rid of excess salt without losing essential bodily fluids.

Importance of Salt Gland

The salt gland plays a crucial role in enabling marine animals to live in saline environments without becoming dehydrated or suffering from salt toxicity.

In conclusion, the salt gland is an essential adaptation that allows marine birds and reptiles to thrive in their salty habitats by efficiently regulating salt levels in the body.


Salt gland Examples

  1. Marine birds have salt glands near their eyes to help them excrete excess salt from their bodies.
  2. Some reptiles utilize their salt glands to rid themselves of excess salts ingested from their diet.
  3. Sharks have specialized salt glands that enable them to regulate the salt content in their bodies.
  4. Certain desert plants have evolved salt glands to remove salt from their tissues to survive in salty soils.
  5. Sea turtles have salt glands that help them remove excess salt ingested while feeding in salty ocean waters.
  6. Cetaceans, such as dolphins and whales, use salt glands to help them maintain proper salt balance in their bodies.
  7. Insects like mosquitoes have salt glands that assist them in managing salt levels in their bodies.
  8. Some species of fish have salt glands that allow them to survive in brackish or saltwater environments.
  9. Certain mollusks possess salt glands to help them regulate salt levels in their bodies as they filter feed in salty seawater.
  10. Saltwater crocodiles have salt glands located on their tongues, which aid in removing excess salt from their bodies.


Most accessed

Search the alphabet

  • #
  • Aa
  • Bb
  • Cc
  • Dd
  • Ee
  • Ff
  • Gg
  • Hh
  • Ii
  • Jj
  • Kk
  • Ll
  • Mm
  • Nn
  • Oo
  • Pp
  • Qq
  • Rr
  • Ss
  • Tt
  • Uu
  • Vv
  • Ww
  • Xx
  • Yy
  • Zz
  • Updated 30/03/2024 - 12:52:00