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

Morphology of angiosperms, define inflorescence and explain in detail about...

define inflorescence and explain in detail about it''s types

Medical surgical nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing: Medical Surgical N...

Medical Surgical Nursing: Medical Surgical Nursing refers to the  nursing care of adults who have  an actual or potential disorder of physiological functi~n.  The practice of

Explain chorioallantois membrane of birds and reptiles, Q. What is the chor...

Q. What is the chorioallantois membrane present in the embryonic development of birds and reptiles? How does this membrane participate in the energetic metabolism of the embryo?

Amitosis, AMITOSIS This  is  direct  cell division  in which  the genet...

AMITOSIS This  is  direct  cell division  in which  the genetic material is not duplicated and  hence its distribution  to the daughter cells  is not  precisely half  and half,

Explain sialography, Question 1 Explain Sialography? How will you perfo...

Question 1 Explain Sialography? How will you perform the same? Question 2 How will you set up your radiology department to take up the IVU studies? Question 3 D

What is hyperhomocysteinaemia, What is Hyperhomocysteinaemia ? Homocyst...

What is Hyperhomocysteinaemia ? Homocysteine has been considered as a risk factor for Cardio-vascular diseases because of many epidemiological and observational studies showing

Where in the cell can ribosomes be found, Where in the cell can ribosomes b...

Where in the cell can ribosomes be found? What is the main biological function of ribosomes? Ans) Ribosomes can be found free in the cytoplasm, adhered to the outer side of the

Define the growth and development of the infant, Define the Growth and Deve...

Define the Growth and Development of the infant? Infancy is a period of rapid growth. During the first year of life, the infant grows and develops far more rapidly than at any

Conditions requiring rapid treatment of hypertension, List of Conditions Re...

List of Conditions Requiring Rapid Treatment of Hypertension 1) Cardiac: • Acute aortic dissection • Acute left ventricular failure • Acute or evolving myocardial i

The fragility of erythrocytes, The fragility of erythrocytes The fragil...

The fragility of erythrocytes The fragility of erythrocytes is impaired in the absence of NADPH generation due to the deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase thereby ca

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