[19] Amino Acid Metabolism Flashcards
What is Amino Acid Metabolism?
It’s the set of biochemical processes that break down or build up amino acids.
What are the two main processes of Amino Acid Metabolism?
- Amino acid catabolism
- Amino acid anabolism
What is Amino Acid Catabolism?
The process of breaking down amino acids for energy.
What is Amino Acid Anabolism?
The process of synthesizing new proteins and other biomolecules from amino acids.
Where does Amino Acid Catabolism occur?
Mainly in the liver.
Where does Amino Acid Anabolism occur?
Throughout the body, in all cells that synthesize proteins.
What is the first step of Amino Acid Catabolism?
Deamination.
What is Deamination?
The removal of an amino group from an amino acid.
What are the products of Deamination?
- Ammonia
- A keto acid
How is ammonia from Deamination dealt with in the body?
It’s converted to urea in the liver and excreted in urine.
What is Transamination?
The transfer of an amino group from one molecule to another.
What is the significance of Transamination?
It helps balance the levels of different amino acids in the body.
What is the Urea Cycle?
A series of biochemical reactions that converts toxic ammonia into urea.
Where does the Urea Cycle occur?
In the liver.
What happens to the carbon skeletons of amino acids after Deamination?
They’re converted into metabolites that can enter energy-producing pathways.
