uric acid

uric acid
uric-acid, adj.
1. Biochem. a compound, C5H4N4O3, present in mammalian urine in small amounts, and the principal nitrogenous component of the excrement of reptiles and birds, that in the form of its salts occurs in the joints in gout and as the major constituent of kidney stones.
2. Chem. a white, crystalline, odorless, tasteless, very slightly water-soluble powder form of this compound, obtained chiefly from urine or bird excrement or synthesized, used chiefly in organic synthesis.
[1790-1800]

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Heterocyclic compound of the purine type, the end product of metabolism of the purines in nucleic acids in many animals, including humans.

It is excreted by reptiles and birds as the chief nitrogenous end product of protein breakdown. Small quantities are normally found in human blood; in gout, levels are abnormally high. Uric acid is used industrially in organic synthesis.

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      a compound belonging to the purine group, and the chief form in which nitrogen, resulting from the breakdown of protein during digestion, is excreted by reptiles and birds. Small quantities of uric acid (about 0.7 gram per day) are excreted by humans as a product of the breakdown of purines that are constituents of nucleoproteins. In persons suffering from gout (q.v.), however, the level of uric acid in the blood may be high. Minute quantities of a sodium salt of uric acid, precipitated in cartilage and bone, are the cause of gout.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Uric acid — Uric U ric, a. [Gr. ? urine: cf. F. urique. See {Urine}.] (Physiol. Chem.) Of or pertaining to urine; obtained from urine; as, uric acid. [1913 Webster] {Uric acid}, a crystalline body, present in small quantity in the urine of man and most… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • uric acid — uric acid. См. мочевая кислота. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • uric acid — n. a white, odorless, crystalline substance, C5H4N4O3, found in urine, the excreta of birds and reptiles, etc.: it is slightly soluble in water …   English World dictionary

  • Uric acid — chembox Name = Uric acid ImageFileL1 = Uric acid.png ImageSizeL1 = 150px ImageFileR1 = Uric acid3D.png ImageSizeR1 = 120px IUPACName = 7,9 dihydro 1H purine 2,6,8(3H) trione OtherNames = 2,6,8 Trioxypurine Section1 = Chembox Identifiers EINECS =… …   Wikipedia

  • Uric acid — A breakdown product of purines that are part of many foods. In gout, there are frequently, but not always, elevated levels of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia). However, only a small portion of those with hyperuricemia will develop gout. * * …   Medical dictionary

  • uric acid —    The final end product of certain native or dietary proteins, especially the nucleoproteins found in the nucleus of cells. Unlike the much smaller nitrogenous waste product urea, which is mostly recycled to form many amino acids, uric acid is… …   Herbal-medical glossary

  • uric acid — A waste product left over from normal chemical processes in the body and found in the urine and blood. Abnormal buildup of uric acid in the body may cause a condition called gout. Increased levels of uric acid in the blood and urine can be a side …   English dictionary of cancer terms

  • uric acid — a nitrogen containing organic acid that is the end product of nucleic acid metabolism and is a component of the urine. Crystals of uric acid are deposited in the joints of people suffering from gout …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • uric acid — The final product of nitrogenous excretion in animals that require to conserve water, such as terrestrial insects, or have limited storage space, such as birds and their eggs. Uric acid has very low water solubility, and crystals may be deposited …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • uric acid — šlapimo rūgštis statusas T sritis chemija formulė (HO)₃C₅HN₄ atitikmenys: angl. uric acid rus. мочевая кислота ryšiai: sinonimas – 2,6,8 purintriolis …   Chemijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

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