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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Urea and Uric Acid?

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Urea and uric acid are two different nitrogenous compounds that vary in terms of their structure, solubility, and excretion in different organisms. Here are the main differences between them:

  1. Structure and formula: Urea has the chemical formula (NH2)2CO, while uric acid has the formula C5H4N4O3. Urea has two amine residues joined by a carbonyl functional group, whereas uric acid is made from xanthine oxidase and is toxic to tissues.
  2. Solubility: Urea is water-soluble and colorless, while uric acid has a low water solubility and is usually found as a white paste or powder.
  3. Excretion: Urea is the main nitrogenous excretory product in humans and other mammals, excreted in urine. On the other hand, uric acid is the main nitrogenous excretory product in birds, reptiles, and terrestrial arthropods, excreted with fecal matter as a solid.
  4. Toxicity: Uric acid is less toxic than urea. Uric acid can be stored in body tissues and cells without any toxic effects, while excess urea can lead to renal failure.
  5. Energetic cost: The conversion of ammonia to uric acid requires more energy and is more complex than the conversion of ammonia to urea.

In summary, urea is a water-soluble compound excreted in urine by humans and mammals, while uric acid is a solid, less soluble compound excreted with fecal matter in birds, reptiles, and terrestrial arthropods. Uric acid is less toxic than urea and requires more energy to produce.

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  • What is the Difference Between Urea and Uric Acid?
  • Comparative Table: Urea vs Uric Acid

    • Comparative Table: Urea vs Uric Acid

    Urea and uric acid are two different nitrogenous compounds involved in the excretion of both humans and other animals. Here is a table highlighting the differences between them:

    Property Urea Uric Acid
    Chemical Formula C5H4N4O3 C5H4N4O3
    Water Solubility Highly soluble in water Low solubility in water
    Excretion in Humans Excreted with urine as a liquid Not the main excretory product in humans
    Excretion in Birds and Reptiles Not the main excretory product in birds and reptiles Excreted as a solid with fecal matter
    Production Produced during the breakdown of proteins and amino acids Produced during the breakdown of purine nucleotides
    Metabolic Pathway Urea cycle, which involves five intermediate steps and five different enzymes No specific enzymatic pathway mentioned
    Energy Requirement Less energy required for production More energy required for production
    Water Loss Higher water loss when excreted Lower water loss when excreted

    In summary, urea is the main nitrogenous excretory product in humans and is excreted with urine as a liquid, while uric acid is the main excretory product in birds and reptiles and is excreted as a solid with fecal matter. Urea production requires less energy than uric acid production, and water loss is higher when excreting urea compared to uric acid.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.