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

Explain conventional factors for cad, Explain Conventional Factors ? Sm...

Explain Conventional Factors ? Smoking, Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and reduced physical activity are considered as conventional risk factor

What is the difference between an acid and a base, What is the difference b...

What is the difference between an acid and a base? Base is anything, which has a capability to abstract a proton. Using the easiest definition, an acid is something when add

What are extraembryonic membranes, What are extraembryonic membranes? E...

What are extraembryonic membranes? Extraembryonic membranes are membranous structures that appear in parallel with the embryo and play significant roles in the embryonic develo

Questions, assignment having 12 questions

assignment having 12 questions

Element required by higher plants, Element Required By Higher Plants T...

Element Required By Higher Plants Table shows the list of sixteen elements that fulfil the criteria of essentiality stated above, their approximate adequate concentration and

Determine the molecular function, Please answer the following three questio...

Please answer the following three questions on Sequence Z: Metadata The GO Ontology is a very widely-used resource in the bioinformatics community as a tool to annotate

To study whether bacteria grow best where it is moist or dry, To study whet...

To study whether bacteria grow best where it is moist or dry Use 2 sterile dishes. Inoculate each one by touching a sterile transmit needle to a bacteria colony rowing in anoth

Post removal technique -roto-pro bur, Post removal Technique -Roto-pro bur ...

Post removal Technique -Roto-pro bur - Roto-pro bur is a taper bur having are six-sided, non-cutting flutes used a high-speed hand-piece around the circumference of the post t

Illustrate target organs of the hormones, Q. What are target organs of the ...

Q. What are target organs of the hormones? Target tissues, Target organs and target cells are those specific organs, cells and tissues upon which each hormone produces and acts

Explain the concept of dressing, Explain the concpet of Dressing Dressi...

Explain the concpet of Dressing Dressing: Means medicine wound covering; a bandage or other sterile covering is put on a wound to protect it from infection or further damage.

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