Uricotelism, Biology

Assignment Help:

Uricotelism

In animals which inhabit extremely arid environments, ammonia is converted into  uric acid. Uric acid is least toxic, relatively insoluble and is easily precipitated. Hence, it can be excreted in solid form without loss of substantial amount of water. Pulmonate snails, terrestrial insects, squamate reptiles (lizards and snakes) and birds excrete a major portion of their waste nitrogen in the form of semi-solid or solid uric acid and hence are referred to as uricotelic animals.

1807_Uricotelism.png

Figure: Uric Acid

The synthesis of uric acid from ammonia in these animals occurs by the inosinic acid pathway. This pathway was first elucidated by Buchanan and his co- workers in the 1950s in pigeon liver. Uric acid is a member of the purines. While the details of the pathway are beyond the scope of this unit, in Figure the different fragments from which the uric acid molecule is assembled is shown. The dashed lines which divide the uric acid molecule in the Figure indicate the building blocks from which its biosynthesis takes place.


Related Discussions:- Uricotelism

Modern biology, Modern Biology Increasing advancement in biotechnology ...

Modern Biology Increasing advancement in biotechnology has brought about a veritable explosion of Biological knowledge since early 1950s.This vast modern biological information

Explain the term microfilaments, Explain the term Microfilaments ? Mi...

Explain the term Microfilaments ? Microfilaments are fine fibrils, only 7 nm in diameter, composed of a protein called actin. Actin is one of the two major proteins involved

Photosynthesis rate varies according to the photic energy, Photosynthesis r...

Photosynthesis rate varies according to the photic energy intensity. Do the similar occur in aerobic respiration? What happens to the glucose balance as a result of these variation

Head examination of new born, Head - check for size, shape or fontan...

Head - check for size, shape or fontanelles, caput, or any other abnormality. Fontanel - anterior fontanel is diamond shaped having size of 2.5 - 4.5 cms. It close

Cardiovascular, Describe the process of excitation-contraction coupling (EC...

Describe the process of excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) in the heart. How do adrenaline, noradrenaline and acetylcholine alter heart rate and or force?

Respiration in scorpion or spider, RESPIR A TIO N IN SCORPION OR SPIDER ...

RESPIR A TIO N IN SCORPION OR SPIDER - Respiratory organs are book lungs. A book lung is a chamber containing a series of thin, vascular, parallel lamellae arranged li

Define the term - magnetoencephalography, Define the term - magnetoencephal...

Define the term - magnetoencephalography A variant ERP known as magnetoencephalography (MEG) has been developed. MEG, which is still in its infancy, requires upward of 60 elect

Match each with the corresponding item, Match each item in Column A with th...

Match each item in Column A with the corresponding item in Column B regarding infectious diseases Column A Column B a. Pulmonary tuberculosis i. Enteric infectious protozoan diseas

What is endocytosis , Endocytosis is the uptake of extracellular macr...

Endocytosis is the uptake of extracellular macromolecules   across the plasma membrane into the cell. The objects to be ingested is progressively  enclosed by a  small  portion  of

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd