Why does the body convert NH 4 + to urea?

All right. Hello everyone. So this question is asking us which statements accurately describe why the body converts ammonium or NH four positive to urea and select all that apply. So here on the screen, we have four different statements labeled one through four that we're going to discuss in greater detail. Later on. In this video, we also have four different entry choices labeled A through D proposing which of the four statements are correct. But before we talk about these statements in greater detail, what is the importance or significance of ammonium in our bodies? Well, first of all, recall first and foremost, that we need proteins in order to function, right? These proteins are made up of amino acids or a a for short that are essentially assembled together into a more complex protein. Now, these amino acids when they are broken down in our bodies oftentimes produce ammonium as a by-product. This is because amino acids contain amino groups and those amino groups can be converted into ammonium during that breakdown process. Now, the significance of ammonium is that it's bad for you, right? It is toxic to the body. And so once ammonium is being produced. It's very important for the body to have a system to get rid of it before it can cause damage to our cells. And so this is where the urea cycle comes into play. Ammonium is transported into the urea cycle so that it can be converted into urea. Doubt urea can therefore be used to remove ammonium from the body because urea is a less toxic by-product, it can be excreted in the urine without much issue. So this is going to reduce the overall toxicity of the compound while also maintaining acid based balance. And so with this context in mind, let's move on now to our answer choices. The first statement says that urea is less toxic than ammonium and can be safely excreted in Europe. This is true, right. As mentioned before, the reason why ammonium undergoes the urea cycle in the first place is to produce a product that can be removed from the body without causing additional harm to it. So statement one is correct because it summarizes the importance of the urea cycle. Statement two says that ammonium is readily eliminated from the body without conversion. This is not correct, right? Because as talked about before ammonium by itself is toxic to our cells. So it's important to convert it to urea so that it can be removed safely. From here, we move on to statement three which says that the conversion of ammonium to urea helps in maintaining the body's acid based balance. Now, this is true, right? Because ammonium is acidic. So by removing ammonium through converting it to urea, you're maintaining the acid based balance in the blood. So this is true. And last but not least we have statement four which says that urea formation allows the body to excrete excess nitrogen while conserving water. This is also true, right? Because it is excess nitrogen in the body that's converted to ammonium in the first place. And it's also important to mention that urea is soluble in water, whereas ammonium is not that soluble in water. So because the urea cycle converts ammonium into a more soluble product, it can be excreted in the urine, which is water based without using too much extra water. This is unlike ammonium that would require a lot more water to excrete without conversion. So to go ahead and summarize out of the four statements, statements, 13 and four are the ones that are accurate, which means that c is the correct answer choice and there you have it. So with that being said, thank you so very much for watching. And I hope you found this helpful.

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25. Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism

Intro to Urea Cycle

GOB Chemistry

25. Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism

Intro to Urea Cycle

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4:54 minutes

Problem 67

Textbook Question

Why does the body convert NH₄⁺ to urea?

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The body converts NH₄⁺ (ammonium ion) to urea because NH₄⁺ is toxic to cells and must be safely removed from the body. Urea is a less toxic compound that can be excreted efficiently.

NH₄⁺ is produced during the breakdown of amino acids in the liver. Amino acids undergo deamination, where the amino group (-NH₂) is removed, forming NH₄⁺.

The liver processes NH₄⁺ through the urea cycle (also known as the ornithine cycle). This cycle converts NH₄⁺ into urea by combining it with carbon dioxide and other intermediates.

Urea is water-soluble and can be transported in the bloodstream to the kidneys. The kidneys filter urea out of the blood and excrete it in urine.

This conversion is essential for maintaining nitrogen balance in the body and preventing the accumulation of toxic levels of NH₄⁺, which could disrupt cellular functions and lead to health issues.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Ammonia Toxicity

Ammonia (NH₃) is a byproduct of protein metabolism and is highly toxic to cells. In mammals, high levels of ammonia can disrupt cellular functions and lead to neurological damage. Therefore, the body must convert ammonia into less toxic substances to maintain homeostasis and protect vital organs.

Urea Cycle

The urea cycle is a series of biochemical reactions that occur primarily in the liver, converting ammonia into urea. This process involves several enzymes and intermediates, ultimately allowing the body to safely excrete urea through urine. The urea cycle is essential for nitrogen disposal and helps regulate nitrogen balance in the body.

Nitrogen Excretion

Nitrogen excretion is the process by which the body eliminates excess nitrogen, primarily derived from amino acid metabolism. Urea is the main form of nitrogen excretion in mammals, as it is less toxic and more soluble in water than ammonia. This efficient excretion mechanism is crucial for preventing the accumulation of harmful nitrogenous waste in the body.

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