Surplus amino acids in the body are broken down to form urea in:
Correct answer: C. Liver
- A. Spleen
- B. Kidneys
- C. Liver
- D. Pancreas
Explanation
The liver is the primary organ where surplus amino acids are broken down. During this process, the amino group of the amino acids is removed in a process known as deamination, resulting in the formation of ammonia. The liver then converts this toxic ammonia into urea through the ornithine cycle, a less toxic compound that can be safely excreted by the kidneys. Other organs, such as the spleen, kidneys, and pancreas, have different primary functions and are not involved in this specific metabolic pathway.
This question appeared on the ETEA MDCAT 2012 paper, which you can sit online with every answer explained.
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About Excretion
Excretion removes metabolic wastes such as carbon dioxide, urea and excess salts, and differs from egestion, which removes undigested food. Questions cover kidney structure, nephron ultrafiltration, selective reabsorption and urine formation, along with the excretory roles of the lungs, skin and liver in maintaining homeostasis.
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