NH3 uptake and Amino Acid Syn

Transaminases

Class of enzymes that catalyze the exchange of amino groups between α-amino acids and α-keto acids.

Deamination

The removal of an amino group from an amino acid, resulting in the formation of an α-keto acid.

Reductive Amination

A reaction catalyzed by Glutamate Synthase that transfers amido nitrogen from glutamine to α-ketoglutarate to generate glutamate.

Glutamate

An α-amino acid that serves as a primary nitrogen donor in amino group transfers.

α-Keto Acid

Organic compounds containing a keto group adjacent to a carboxyl group, often serving as acceptors of amino groups.

Amino Group

A functional group that, when transferred, converts α-keto acids into α-amino acids.

Aspartate

An α-amino acid derived from oxaloacetate via transaminase reaction.

Serine

An α-amino acid that can be synthesized from 3-phosphoglycerate in a few steps.

Urea Cycle

The biochemical pathway through which ammonia is converted into urea for detoxification.

Glucogenic Amino Acids

Amino acids that can be converted into glucose through gluconeogenesis.

Ketogenic Amino Acids

Amino acids that can be converted into ketone bodies or acetyl CoA for energy production.

Transaminases catalyze the exchange of __________ between α-amino acids and α-keto acids.

amino groups

The process of removing an amino group from an amino acid is known as __________.

deamination

__________ is a reaction that transfers amido nitrogen from glutamine to α-ketoglutarate.

Reductive amination

Glutamate serves as a primary nitrogen donor in __________ group transfers.

amino

An __________ is an organic compound containing a keto group adjacent to a carboxyl group.

α-keto acid

The functional group that converts α-keto acids into α-amino acids is called an __________ group.

amino

Aspartate is derived from __________ via a transaminase reaction.

oxaloacetate

__________ can be synthesized from 3-phosphoglycerate in a few steps.

Serine

The __________ pathway converts ammonia into urea for detoxification.

Urea Cycle

Glucogenic amino acids can be converted into __________ through gluconeogenesis.

glucose

The main function of transaminases is to facilitate the transfer of __________ groups.

amino

The formation of urea occurs mainly in the __________ and is part of the urea cycle.

liver

The amino acid __________ can be synthesized from pyruvate through transamination.

alanine

In deamination, the amino group is typically converted to __________ for excretion.

ammonia

__________ is the starting point for the synthesis of non-essential amino acids.

α-keto acid

The process of converting phenylalanine to tyrosine is an example of __________.

hydroxylation

In the urea cycle, __________ is combined with carbon dioxide to form carbamoyl phosphate.

ammonia

The side chain of the amino acid __________ contains a sulfur atom and can form disulfide bonds.

cysteine

Amino acids can act as precursors for the synthesis of __________ neurotransmitters like serotonin.

biogenic

The amino acid __________ can be both glucogenic and ketogenic depending on metabolic pathway.

isoleucine

During fasting, the body can convert __________ acids into glucose through gluconeogenesis.

glucogenic

__________ is synthesized from the amino acid serine and is essential for DNA methylation.

S-adenosylmethionine

The conversion of kynurenine to __________ is a step in tryptophan metabolism.

niacin

Amino acids are linked together by __________ bonds to form proteins.

peptide

The branch chain amino acids include leucine, isoleucine, and __________.

valine

The only amino acid that is a primary amino acid and not a secondary is __________.

glycine

The enzyme __________ catalyzes the reaction of α-ketoglutarate to form glutamate.

glutamate dehydrogenase

__________ amino acids are those that the body cannot synthesize and must be obtained from the diet.

Essential

Glutamine serves as a nitrogen donor in the synthesis of __________.

nucleotides

__________ is the metabolic state in which amino acids are primarily used for energy production.

Fasting