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

Cleft palate, Cleft Palate   Well you have now learnt about the cleft l...

Cleft Palate   Well you have now learnt about the cleft lip and now let us discuss and understand what is cleft palate. Cleft palate (CP) is midline fissure of  the palate that

What are cilia and flagella, What are cilia and flagella? Cilia and fla...

What are cilia and flagella? Cilia and flagella are structures found in prokaryotes as well in eukaryotic cells. They play defense, nutrition and movement roles for the cell. I

What are the approaches to the design of retaining walls, What are the appr...

What are the approaches to the design of retaining walls? The approach to the design of retaining walls can be started as follows: a. Chosse a trial dimension of the wall

Stretch receptors, Stretch Receptors Stretch receptors able of percept...

Stretch Receptors Stretch receptors able of perception of muscle tension or stretch are distributed in the connective tissue related with muscles of many groups of animals. Th

What are the main human degenerative diseases, What are the main human dege...

What are the main human degenerative diseases? The main human degenerative diseases are separated into three groups: cardiovascular diseases, neoplastic diseases and degenerat

Microtubule assembly, Microtubule assembly: A) generally originates in the ...

Microtubule assembly: A) generally originates in the centrosome. B) occurs only during mitosis. C) occurs randomly throughout the cell. D) is regulated by myosin. E) is inhibited d

Explain rifamycins-rifampin, Explain Rifamycins-Rifampin Rifamycins - R...

Explain Rifamycins-Rifampin Rifamycins - Rifampin, like isoniazid, is potentially hepatotoxic, and gas- trointestinal disturbances, morbilliform rash and thrombocytopenic purpu

Explain cake mix evaluation - performance evaluation, Cake mix evaluation  ...

Cake mix evaluation  Originally, cake mix formulations were very similar to bakery cakes and utilized standard "Hi-Ratio" cake oils; however, development of improved cake mixes

Types of advanced plaques, The presence of advanced plaques of types IV and...

The presence of advanced plaques of types IV and Va allows clinical symptoms to develop. Atherosclerosis is a biphasic disease; in the first stage, advanced plaques are generated b

Spermiogenesis - spermatogenesis, Spermiogenesis - Spermatogenesis At ...

Spermiogenesis - Spermatogenesis At the end of the meiosis the spermatids appear as simple spherical cells with a centrally located nucleus. Their differentiation into sperm r

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