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 resistance of its circuitry, A flashlight with a 6-volt bulb dr...

A flashlight with a 6-volt bulb draws 2 amps from its batteries. What is the resistance of its circuitry?

Dissolved gases and alkalinity, Dissolved Gases and Alkalinity Disso...

Dissolved Gases and Alkalinity Dissolved Gases The marine environment serves as a gigantic reservoir of dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide, which respectively help reg

Teratogens, TER A T OGEN S - These are chemicals or drugs causin...

TER A T OGEN S - These are chemicals or drugs causing malformed foetus . The production of monsters or malformed foetus is called tertogeny or teratogenesis . Th

Define blank titration for saponification number of fats, Define Blank Titr...

Define Blank Titration for Saponification Number of Fats? Pipette 5 ml of alcoholic KOH in a 250 ml conical flask. Titrate against standardized HCI using phenolphtalein as an i

Cytokinins and Cell Division, α - amylase activity by GA 3 - Dormancy ...

α - amylase activity by GA 3 - Dormancy Of the enzymes required for the digestion of starch α-amylase appears immediately after the start of germination. It was found that

What is isotope switching, It is conversion of antibody class to another re...

It is conversion of antibody class to another resulting from genetic rearrangement of heavy chain same region genes in B cells. Isotope switching is also known as class switching.

Mycotoxicoses, Mycotoxicoses Mycotoxicoses cause heavy economic loss d...

Mycotoxicoses Mycotoxicoses cause heavy economic loss due to high morbidity and consequent production loss. Low grade mortality is also recorded. The main toxins involved are

Define the skin capillary fragility test, Define the Skin Capillary Fragili...

Define the Skin Capillary Fragility Test? One of the earliest signs of ascorbic acid deficiency is the fragility of the capillaries. Capillary fragility is measured by applyin

Explain nutritional and functional role of calcium, Minerals :- Calcium    ...

Minerals :- Calcium      Food Source      Dairy products, leafy vegetables, tofu, fish bones green Nutritional/Functional role Essential nutrient: Deficiency lead

Determine the occurrence of vitamin e, Determine the Occurrence of Vitamin ...

Determine the Occurrence of Vitamin E The tocopherols are widely found in animal and vegetable materials, like nuts and seeds. Considerable amounts are found in a number of

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