Question

Some animals convert toxic ammonia to less toxic compounds prior excretion _____

A) Birds.
B) Snakes.
C) Frogs.
D) Insects.

Answer 1

Birds, reptiles, and most terrestrial arthropods convert toxic ammonia to uric acid instead of urea. Conversion of ammonia to uric acid requires more energy and is much more complex than conversion of ammonia to urea.

Step-by-step explanation:

Birds, reptiles, and most terrestrial arthropods convert toxic ammonia to uric acid or the closely related compound guanine instead of urea. Mammals also form some uric acid during breakdown of nucleic acids. Uric acid is a compound similar to purines found in nucleic acids. It is water insoluble and tends to form a white paste or powder; it is excreted by birds, insects, and reptiles. Conversion of ammonia to uric acid requires more energy and is much more complex than conversion of ammonia to urea.