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

Show endocrine glands involved in the menstrual cycle, Q. What are the endo...

Q. What are the endocrine glands involved in the menstrual cycle? What are the hormones in action? The endocrine glands that secrete hormones involved in the menstrual cycle ar

Wigs and hairs - seed appendages, Wigs and hairs - Seed Appendages Se...

Wigs and hairs - Seed Appendages Seeds of certain plants have epidermal outgrowths or the integuments themselves may form folds and projections that present a wing-like appea

The difference between high and low c, How does brain recognize difference ...

How does brain recognize difference between high and low c and soft and loud sounds?

Self - medication, SELF - MEDICATION - Self medication refers to the us...

SELF - MEDICATION - Self medication refers to the use of medicines without consulting a physician. Self medication may be harmful, rather dangerous. It must be avoided. (i)

Protozoans, classification on protozoans

classification on protozoans

What are the major orders of placental mammals, Q. What are the major order...

Q. What are the major orders of placental mammals? What are a few representative species and distinguishing features of each of those orders? The orders into which placental ma

Explain about picaridin, Picaridin Laboratory and field studies docume...

Picaridin Laboratory and field studies documenting the efficacy of picaridin. No published data are available on the efficacy of the 7% solution now available in the US. Insec

Show the parameters which are of interest in chd, Q. Show the parameters wh...

Q. Show the parameters which are of interest in CHD? Total Cholesterol: Serum totnl cholesterol equals the sum of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c), VLDL-cholesterol (VLDL-c) and LDL-cho

What are the phenotypic ratios, Honeybees are unusual in that male bees (dr...

Honeybees are unusual in that male bees (drones) have only one copy of each gene, while female bees have two copies of their genes. That is because drones develop from eggs that ha

Explain the sex composition of the population, Explain the Sex Composition ...

Explain the Sex Composition of the Population? Sex composition of human population is one of the basic demographic characteristics, which is extremely vital for any meaningful

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