What role does the skin play in waste removal?

The skin plays a significant role in waste removal primarily through its sweat glands, which are responsible for excreting substances like urea, salts, and water from the body. This process is vital for maintaining homeostasis, particularly in regulating body temperature and electrolyte balance. When sweat evaporates from the skin's surface, it helps cool the body while effectively removing waste products that have been filtered from the blood. This mechanism allows the body to eliminate some metabolic by-products and enhances the overall function of the excretory system.

In contrast, other options do not accurately describe the skin's primary role in waste removal. Storing excess salts is not a function of the skin; instead, it deals with eliminating them through sweat. Regulating breathing rates is a function associated with the respiratory system rather than the skin. Lastly, filtering blood is a function of the kidneys, not the skin, which does not have the capability to filter blood independently.