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

Describe population and the frequency of the melanics, In one study of a he...

In one study of a heavily polluted area near Birmingham, England, a researcher observed a frequency of 87% melanic Biston betlularia. Calculate the frequency of the dominant allele

St. jude medical valve--types of valves, St. Jude Medical Valve (SJM) :  ...

St. Jude Medical Valve (SJM) :  This is a low profile bi-leaflet valve, which was introduced in 1977. The leaflets and the housing are made of pyrolitic carbon. The currently

Number of chromosomes, NUMBER Benden and Boveri first indicated tha...

NUMBER Benden and Boveri first indicated that number of Chromosomes is definite in each organism. (1) Haploid (n) - One set of Chromosomes. i.e. one Chromosome of each

Principle for determination of blood glucose, Define Principle for Determin...

Define Principle for Determination of Blood Glucose by Nelson Somogyi Method? Proteins are precipitated from the sample and protein free filtrate is heated with alkaline copper

Define drug effects on food intake - gastro intestinal tract, Define Drug E...

Define Drug Effects on Food Intake - gastro intestinal tract? Affect the gastro intestinal tract: Gastrointestinal irritation and ulceration are serious problems with many drug

Define the postsynaptic potential in neuron a, Neuron A is a healthy neuron...

Neuron A is a healthy neuron with all the usual ion channels.  When at rest with a membrane voltage of R millivolts, neuron A produces no action potentials.  The voltage thres

Explain about the smoking - methods of food processing, Explain about the S...

Explain about the Smoking - methods of food processing? Smoking was known as a method of food preservation at an early date. Foods are exposed to smokes by burning some special

Cadmium, C adm iu m Like lead and mercury, cadmium is also non-essen...

C adm iu m Like lead and mercury, cadmium is also non-essential biologically. The industrial use of cadmium in plastic production, electroplating and manufacture of alloys a

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