Ammonia Metabolism Flashcards
What is transamination?
A process of transfer of amino groups from an amino acid to a keto acid to generate a new keto acid and amino acid.
Glutamate is the central acceptor of amino groups in this process.
What are the products of transamination involving aspartate and alpha-ketoglutarate?
Glutamate and oxaloacetate.
This reaction is catalyzed by SGOT or AST.
What are the products of transamination involving alanine and alpha-ketoglutarate?
Glutamate and pyruvate.
This reaction is catalyzed by SGPT or ALT.
What is oxidative deamination?
Oxidation coupled with liberation of ammonia.
This process occurs in the mitochondria and is reversible.
What is the role of glutamate dehydrogenase in ammonia metabolism?
Catalyzes the conversion of glutamate to alpha-ketoglutarate while releasing ammonia.
This reaction involves NAD+ and produces NADH and H+.
What is the major transport and storage form of ammonia from the brain?
Glutamine.
Glutamine is synthesized from glutamate and ammonia.
What is the significance of glutamine in ammonia metabolism?
It serves as a non-toxic storage and transport form of ammonia.
This process involves glutamine synthetase.
What is the primary source of ammonia in the body?
Transamination and deamination reactions.
These processes involve the metabolism of amino acids.
True or False: Glutamate is a central acceptor of amino groups.
True.
Fill in the blank: The process of transferring an amino group from an amino acid to a keto acid is known as _______.
transamination.
What enzyme is involved in the transamination process with alanine?
SGPT or ALT.
This enzyme catalyzes the reaction producing glutamate and pyruvate.
What is the role of glucose in the body?
Primary energy source for cells
Glucose is crucial for cellular respiration and energy production.
What is pyruvate?
End product of glycolysis
Pyruvate can be further metabolized in aerobic or anaerobic conditions.
What percentage of glucose is used by the muscle?
70%
Muscle tissues rely heavily on glucose for energy during physical activity.
What is the relationship between alanine and glutamate?
Alanine is converted to glutamate
This process is part of amino acid metabolism.
What is gluconeogenesis?
Synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources
This process is essential during fasting or intense exercise.
What are the functions of amino acids?
Synthesis of proteins, neurotransmitters, and nitrogenous bases
Amino acids are fundamental for many biological processes.
What is the role of the urea cycle?
Disposal of ammonia in the form of urea
The urea cycle helps prevent ammonia toxicity.
Why is ammonia toxic to the brain?
Excess ammonia leads to neurological symptoms
Symptoms include tremors, seizures, and slurring of speech.
What are the neurological symptoms of ammonia toxicity?
Tremors, seizures, slurring of speech, blurring of vision
These symptoms indicate severe brain dysfunction.
What is the intermediate of the TCA cycle related to ammonia?
Glutamate
Glutamate can convert to glutamine, which helps detoxify ammonia.
Fill in the blank: The conversion of glutamate to glutamine is facilitated by _______.
Ammonia
This conversion helps in the detoxification process.
True or False: The synthesis of non-essential amino acids is a function of amino acid metabolism.
True
Non-essential amino acids can be synthesized by the body.
