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

Defects of heart, DEFECT S OF HEART 1 .      Blue Baby syndrome (Cya...

DEFECT S OF HEART 1 .      Blue Baby syndrome (Cyanosis) - Due to persisting foramen ovalis in atrial septum even after birth, the impure blood from right auricles comes to

What is sick sinus syndrome, Q. What is Sick Sinus Syndrome? Ans. ...

Q. What is Sick Sinus Syndrome? Ans. When a slow resting pulse fails to accelerate normally with exercise, it has been labeled chronotropic incompetence, however, there i

What is the spinal cord, What is the spinal cord? Of which elements is the ...

What is the spinal cord? Of which elements is the spinal cord constituted? The spinal cord is the dorsal neural cord of vertebrates. It is the kind of the central nervous syste

State the term - functional neuroanatomy, State the term - Functional neuro...

State the term - Functional neuroanatomy Functional neuroanatomy focuses on the study of anatomy using psychological measures. One application of this kind of research is to he

Fate of pyruvate, Pyruvate Pyruvate has three different  fates. Under a...

Pyruvate Pyruvate has three different  fates. Under aerobic conditions,  pyruvate enters mitochondriaand is converted to acetyl CoA. The acetyl CoA enters thecitric acid cycle.

Clinical manifestation and diagnosis of pericardiocentesis, Clinical Manife...

Clinical Manifestation Occurs over an extended time period and mimic those of CHF and corpulmonale. Dyspnea on exertion, dependent odema, ascitis, fatigue, anorexia and weight

Explain leaf primordia, Explain Leaf Primordia ? In contrast to the ro...

Explain Leaf Primordia ? In contrast to the root, which produces branches from meristematic tissue called the pericycle, shoots have areas of meristematic tissues called nodes

Is the edible part of the onion a fruit, Are fruits always the flesh part o...

Are fruits always the flesh part of the "fruits"? Is the edible part of the onion a fruit? In some so-called fruits the actual fruit is not the flesh part. For instance, the fl

Explain aabout milk fats - edible fats, Milk Fats  Fats of this group a...

Milk Fats  Fats of this group are derived from the milk of ruminants, particularly cows and buffaloes. Although the major fatty acids of milk fat are palmitic, oleic and steari

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