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 is the optimum temperature for catalyses, Explain What is the optimum...

Explain What is the optimum temperature for catalyses? Ans) For any chemical reaction, the reaction rate enhances with temperature, so the higher the temperature, the earlier t

State the term - myasthenia gravis, Myasthenia Gravis Myasthenia gravis...

Myasthenia Gravis Myasthenia gravis (severe muscle weakness) is characterised by muscular fatigue in the wake of very little exercise. It may be apparent after a short period o

Tagmatization, sample assignment on tagmatization

sample assignment on tagmatization

Enumerate about the visual field examination, Visual Field Examination ...

Visual Field Examination Russel et. al include a formal visual field examination using a parameter as part of their assessment procedure. Tests in the expanded version include

Explain re- pera at ions and other interventions, Explain Re- pera at ions ...

Explain Re- pera at ions and Other Interventions ? These are required for residual VSD with significant shunt, residual RV obstruction and pulmonary valve regurgitation in a fe

Renal glycosuria and self monitoring of blood glucose, Renal Glycosuria ...

Renal Glycosuria Renal glycosuria is a condition in which the glucose is excreted in the urine in spite of normal blood sugar levels. Self Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG

Briefly explain about type specimens, Q. Briefly explain about Type Specime...

Q. Briefly explain about Type Specimens ? The specimens on which the names of the species are based are kept as type specimens. Do not replace these specimens because these wi

What is the water cycle, Q. What is the water cycle? The water cycle re...

Q. What is the water cycle? The water cycle represents the recycling and circulation of water in nature. The Liquid water on the planet surface is heated by the sun and turns i

Procedures for diagnosis - immune responses and biomarkers, Demonstration o...

Demonstration of immune responses and biomarkers: This may be done either on the basis of sero-conversion study on paired sera samples or by challenge (protection) test.

What is visual accommodation, What is visual accommodation? Visual acco...

What is visual accommodation? Visual accommodation is the phenomenon of varying the curvature of the crystalline lens to make possible the variation of its refractivity to adju

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