Some animals excrete uric acid in urine (uricotelic) as it requires very little water. This is an adaptation to conserve water loss. Which animals among the following are most likely to be uricotelic?

Question

Some animals excrete uric acid in urine (uricotelic) as it requires very little water. This is an adaptation to conserve water loss. Which animals among the following are most likely to be uricotelic? (A) Fishes (B) Birds (C) Amphibians (D) Mammals

Tardigrade Admin · Accepted Answer

Birds and reptiles convert ammonia to uric acid, which is even less toxic than urea. In fact, uric acid does not need any water at all, they can excrete it as a solid and conserve as much water as possible. Thus, they are uricotelic. Mammals, amphibians and fishes are ureotelic animals.

Q. Some animals excrete uric acid in urine (uricotelic) as it requires very little water. This is an adaptation to conserve water loss. Which animals among the following are most likely to be uricotelic?

Fishes

Birds

Amphibians

Mammals

Birds and reptiles convert ammonia to uric acid, which is even less toxic than urea. In fact, uric acid does not need any water at all, they can excrete it as a solid and conserve as much water as possible. Thus, they are uricotelic. Mammals, amphibians and fishes are ureotelic animals.