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

What are the main functions of saliva, Q. What is the approximate pH of the...

Q. What is the approximate pH of the salivary secretion? Is it an acid or basic fluid? What are the main functions of saliva? The saliva pH is approximately 6.8 it is therefore

Define terms umbra and penumbra, Define the terms umbra and penumbra, and d...

Define the terms umbra and penumbra, and describe how they relate to solar eclipses.

Glanders, Glanders The glanders is caused by Burkholderia mallei (previous...

Glanders The glanders is caused by Burkholderia mallei (previously known as Malleomyces mallei) and it is a serious contagious disease of equines. Infected equidae are the reservo

Domestication - wildlife, Domestication - Wildlife It means that man h...

Domestication - Wildlife It means that man has taken under his direct care the living beings which are useful to him. Through extensive breeding programmes, he has modified th

Explain micronutrient deficiencies during kwashiorkor, Explain Micronutrien...

Explain Micronutrient deficiencies during kwashiorkor? Almost all the children manifest anaemia (due to iron deficiency) of some degree. Eye signs of vitamin A' deficiency are

Explain the role of calcium ions and tropnin, Explain the role of calcium i...

Explain the role of calcium ions, troponin and F-Actin during contraction in striated muscles of humans?

Explain about the ph - nutritional biochemistry, Explain about the PH - Nut...

Explain about the PH - Nutritional Biochemistry? You have already studied about pH in your undergraduate years and know what it means. Yes, mathematically we can define pH as e

Cloning protocol, Sally Subcloner wants to clone a fragment into pUC19 (Map...

Sally Subcloner wants to clone a fragment into pUC19 (Map above – From New England Biolabs). Her fragment was a protein coding gene of 2.7 kb, and had XhoI sites on either end (and

Explain haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Hi...

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Hib is endemic worldwide. Previously unvaccinated infants

Biological adaptation, Biological Adaptation These adaptations depend ...

Biological Adaptation These adaptations depend on the geology and basic fertility of the region and some of the mechanisms that are especially well developed in tropical rain

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