Is Urea and Uric Acid Same

Mammals such as humans excrete urea, while birds, reptiles, and some terrestrial invertebrates produce uric acid as waste. Uricothelic organisms tend to excrete uric acid waste in the form of a white paste or powder. Conversion of ammonia into uric acid is more energy intensive than the conversion of ammonia into urea.

How are urea and uric acid formed?

Terrestrial organisms have evolved other mechanisms to excrete nitrogenous wastes. The animals must detoxify ammonia by converting it into a relatively nontoxic form such as urea or uric acid. Mammals, including humans, produce urea, whereas reptiles and many terrestrial invertebrates produce uric acid.

How is urea broken down?

When you eat proteins, the body breaks them down into amino acids. Ammonia is produced from leftover amino acids, and it must be removed from the body. The liver produces several chemicals (enzymes) that change ammonia into a form called urea, which the body can remove in the urine.