Birds and insects excrete uric acid, whereas mammals and most amphibians excrete mainly urea. What is the chief advantage of uric acid over urea as a waste product?
a. Uric acid is a much simpler molecule.
b. It takes less energy to make uric acid.
c. Less water is required to excrete uric acid.
d. More solutes are removed excreting uric acid.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the context of the problem: The question is asking about the advantages of uric acid as a waste product compared to urea. This relates to the biology of excretion and water conservation in different organisms.
2. Recall the properties of uric acid: Uric acid is relatively insoluble in water and is excreted as a paste or solid, which minimizes water loss. This is particularly advantageous for organisms living in arid environments.
3. Compare uric acid and urea: Urea is highly soluble in water and requires a significant amount of water for excretion. Uric acid, on the other hand, requires much less water for excretion, making it more efficient for water conservation.
4. Analyze the options provided: Option (c) states 'Less water is required to excrete uric acid,' which aligns with the biological advantage of uric acid in conserving water. Evaluate the other options to ensure they do not match the primary advantage of uric acid.
5. Conclude the reasoning: The chief advantage of uric acid over urea as a waste product is its ability to conserve water during excretion, which is critical for birds and insects that often inhabit environments where water is scarce.

Key Concepts

Nitrogenous Waste Products

Nitrogenous waste products are the byproducts of protein metabolism that organisms must eliminate. The primary types include urea, uric acid, and ammonia. Urea is soluble in water and is excreted by mammals, while uric acid is less soluble and is excreted by birds and insects. Understanding these differences is crucial for grasping how various organisms adapt their waste excretion to their environments.

Water Conservation

Water conservation is a critical physiological process, especially for terrestrial organisms. Uric acid is excreted as a paste with minimal water loss, making it advantageous for animals in arid environments. This adaptation allows species like birds and insects to thrive in habitats where water is scarce, highlighting the evolutionary significance of waste product composition.

Energy Cost of Excretion

The energy cost of excretion refers to the metabolic energy required to produce and eliminate waste products. Uric acid synthesis is energetically more expensive than urea, but the trade-off is beneficial in terms of water conservation. Understanding this balance helps explain why different organisms have evolved to excrete different nitrogenous wastes based on their ecological niches.