Uric acid: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 05:24, 19 November 2004

Revision as of 05:25, 19 November 2004

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In some other animals, such as birds and reptiles, it is the main end-product, and is excreted in faeces. The high nitrogen content of uric acid is why [[guano]] is so valuable as a [[fertilizer|fertiliser]] in agriculture.

Unlike urea and ammonia, uric acid can be excreted as a dry solid. While this is compound is more energetic than those other wastes, it means that [[water]] loss due to elimination can be reduced to a minimum. It is therefore commonly found in the excretions of animals that live in very dry environments. Most birds eliminate nitrogen in the form of uric acid, and the crystalline form of the compound is used as a reflector in certain species of fireflies.

In human [[blood]], uric acid concentrations between 3.6 and 8.3 mg/dL are considered normal by the [[American Medical Association]], although significantly lower levels are common in [[vegetarian]]s.