Multiple Choice
In mammalian liver, which compound is a major byproduct of amino acid catabolism due to detoxification of released ammonia?
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Review 4: Amino Acid Oxidation, Oxidative Phosphorylation, & Photophosphorylation
Amino Acid Oxidation 1
Multiple Choice
Urea is a major nitrogenous waste product formed during the metabolism of which type of biomolecule in humans?
A
Amino acids (from protein catabolism)
B
Nucleic acids (from DNA and RNA hydrolysis)
C
Glucose (from glycolysis)
D
Fatty acids (from triacylglycerol breakdown)
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that urea is a nitrogen-containing compound produced in the liver as a way to safely excrete excess nitrogen from the body.
Recall that nitrogen in the body primarily comes from the breakdown of biomolecules that contain nitrogen atoms, such as amino acids and nucleic acids.
Recognize that amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins, contain an amino group (-NH2) that releases nitrogen during catabolism, leading to the formation of ammonia.
Know that ammonia is toxic, so the liver converts it into urea through the urea cycle, which is then excreted by the kidneys.
Conclude that since glucose and fatty acids do not contain nitrogen, their metabolism does not produce urea, making amino acids the primary source of nitrogen for urea formation.
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