Question

Outline how ammonia is generated and detoxified, and how carbon skeletons are further processed, during amino acid degradation

THIS IS A BIOCHEMISRY QUESTION

Answer 1

Generation and detoxification of ammonia:

Deamination of the amino acids is the primary source of ammonia produced in the body. Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I (CPS I) is an enzyme involved in the urea production, this enzyme transfers the ammonia from glutamine to a phosphorylated bicarbonate molecule, which results in the formation of a carbamate. The carbamate is again phosphorylated with another ATP molecule, forming a carbamoyl phosphate. The overall reaction is given below.

2ATP + HCO₃^? + NH₄⁺ --à 2ADP + Carbamoyl phosphate + Phosphate (Pi)

The formed carbomyl phosphate enters into the urea cycle and plays a key role in the formation of urea. The urea is then excreted through the kidneys.