032 Urea Cycle

Question 1

What occurs in fed state when we eat meal high in protein?

Answer 1

Excess proteins need to be broken down so we use this for energy from gluconeogenesis.

Question 2

What occurs in the fasting state for proteins?

Answer 2

Liver glycogen is depleted and insulin levels decrease. Extra amino acids need to be metabolized.

Question 3

What occurs in starvation state for amino acids?

Answer 3

Urea cycle activity is higher because gluconeogenesis increases. In late starvation, protein sparing occurs and there is switch to ketone bodies.

Question 4

What occurs to amino acids during hypercatabolic states?

Answer 4

Higher protein turnover.

Question 5

What are the symptoms when level of ammonia are too high? >50um

Answer 5

Nausea, lethargy, coma, death