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

Temperature - seed dormancy, Temperature - Seed Dormancy Low temperatu...

Temperature - Seed Dormancy Low temperature treatment is an essential prelude to germination in many seeds, and high temperature may be inhibitory at the time of germination.

Processing grains and oil seeds for animal feeding, Processing grains and o...

Processing grains and oil seeds for animal feeding Simple processing of grains such as grinding facilitates the digestion particularly in cattle and buffaloes. Fine grinding of

What is esophagus called, What is the valve that separates the stomach from...

What is the valve that separates the stomach from the esophagus called? What is its function? The valve that separates the stomach from the esophagus is the cardia. It has the

Physical concepts of plant water relation - diffusion, Physical Concepts of...

Physical Concepts of Plant Water Relation - Diffusion Diffusion is a spontaneous process that leads to net movement of a substance from a region of higher concentration to a r

Why in some cases is mitosis a synonym of reproduction, Why in some cases i...

Why in some cases is mitosis a synonym of reproduction? In some living beings asexual reproduction happens by many means: binary division, schizogony, budding, grafting, etc. I

Describe the kinds of muscle tissues, Q. What are the kinds of muscle tissu...

Q. What are the kinds of muscle tissues? What are the morphological features that differentiate those types? There are three kinds of muscle tissue: the cardiac striated muscle

Fungi, is the have 100 nuclus ?

is the have 100 nuclus ?

Vitamin - k, VITAMIN - K Also known as naptho quionone / anti haemo...

VITAMIN - K Also known as naptho quionone / anti haemorrhagic vitamin / coagulation vitamin / menadone . It requires for formation of blood clotting factor prothrombin.

Why do protease-supplying cells of the stomach, Why do protease-supplying c...

Why do protease-supplying cells of the stomach and of the pancreas make only precursors of the active proteolytic enzymes? The stomach and the pancreas make zymogens of the pro

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