Comparing toxicity and theneed for dilution in water howdifferent are the ureotelic andthe uricotelic excretions?What are some examples ofanimals that present theserespective types of excretion?
Comparing toxicity and the
need for dilution in water how
different are the ureotelic and
the uricotelic excretions?
What are some examples of
animals that present these
respective types of excretion?
Among macromolecules, both proteins and nucleic acids contain nitrogen. During the breakdown of the nitrogen containing macromolecules, the excess nitrogen is excreted from the body. Nitrogenous wastes tend to form toxic ammonia, which raises the pH of body fluids. The formation of ammonia requires energy in the form of ATP and hence, large quantities of water is required to dilute it out of a biological system. Animals that live in aquatic environments tend to release ammonia into the water. Animals that excrete ammonia are said to be ammonotelic.
Terrestrial organisms detoxify ammonia by converting it into a nontoxic form such as urea or uric acid. Mammals, including humans, produce urea, whereas reptiles and many terrestrial invertebrates produce uric acid are known as uricotelic animals while animals that secrete urea as the primary nitrogenous waste material are called ureotelic animals.
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