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

Osmoregulation in marine non-chordate metazoans, Osmoregulation in Marine N...

Osmoregulation in Marine Non-Chordate Metazoans Studies on the osmotic pressure of body fluids of marine organisms have displayed that their internal osmotic pressure is more

.development, what is the function of the larval stage in the development o...

what is the function of the larval stage in the development of the young of five named animals

fungi, Fungi The study of fungi (s. fungus) is called mycology. Fungi...

Fungi The study of fungi (s. fungus) is called mycology. Fungi are unicellular or multicellular chemoheterotrophic eukaryotes. They may be grouped into yeasts, molds and funga

What is primary motor cortex, Q. What is Primary Motor Cortex? Located ...

Q. What is Primary Motor Cortex? Located in precentral gyrus of frontal lobe (anterior to central sulcus, which separates frontal and parietal lobes.  Neurons called pyramidal

What are the subkingdoms, What are the subkingdoms into which the plant kin...

What are the subkingdoms into which the plant kingdom is divided? The kingdom Plantae is separated into two big subkingdoms: the bryophytes and the tracheophytes (pteridophytes

Bacterial and mycotic diseases, Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases Bacteria...

Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases Bacteria and fungi are microscopic organisms which are ubiquitous in nature and are widely present in soil, fresh and salt water, air, vegetation

Explain pedicellaria in brief, Explain Pedicellaria in brief? Defensive...

Explain Pedicellaria in brief? Defensive pincerlike structures found on the surface of echinoderms. They are capable of responding to external stimuli independently from the ma

Explain arteries in comparison to veins, Which of the below statements does...

Which of the below statements does NOT apply to arteries when comparing them to veins: a) Have thick walls b) Carry blood away from heart c) Highly elastic walls d) Ha

Main cytoplasmic structures present in animal cells, What are the main cyto...

What are the main cytoplasmic structures present in animal cells? Ans) The major cytoplasmic structures of the cell are the centrioles, the cytoskeleton, lysosomes, mitochondria

How does chewing food help to speed up digestion, How does chewing food hel...

How does chewing food help to speed up digestion? Chewing reduces food to portions small sufficient to be swallowed and enhances the surface area of the food for digestive enzy

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