Nitrogen Flashcards
What are the 3 stages of protein digestion?
Gastric (pepsin)
Pancreatic
Intestinal
What amino acid obtains its nitrogen from ammonia?
Glutamate
Where do other amino acids obtain their nitrogen from?
From pre-existing amino acids
How do other amino acids obtain their nitrogen from pre-existing amino acids?
Through transaminase reactions, which involve the interconversion of a pair of amino acids and a pair of keto acids
What happens to the glucogenic amino acid skeletons?
They form intermediates which can be converted to glucose via gluconeogenesis
What happens to the ketogenic amino acid skeletons?
They form intermediates which can be used for energy in the citric acid cycle or for making ketone bodies
How is Nitrogen transported through the body?
The Glutamine-Alanine cycle
Why is glutamate not used to carry nitrogen through the body?
It’s negative charge means it can’t cross cell membranes
What process is urea formed by?
Deamination
