DEAMINATION (MADE EASY)

Summary

This video explains the process of deamination, where excess amino acids are converted into urea by the liver. The amino acids are first broken down into two parts: an amino group and a carbon chain. The amino group is converted into ammonia, which is toxic, and then transformed into less harmful urea. Urea is excreted through urine after being filtered by the kidneys. The carbon chain is used to produce energy, stored as glycogen in the liver. This process helps the body maintain homeostasis by regulating excess amino acids and their byproducts.

Takeaways

• 😀 Deamination is a process where excess amino acids are converted into urea in the liver.
• 😀 The liver plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis by removing excess amino acids.
• 😀 Amino acids consist of three parts: a carboxyl group, an R group (carbon chain), and an amino group.
• 😀 The term 'deamination' refers to the removal of the amino group from an amino acid.
• 😀 After the amino group is removed, the remaining part of the amino acid can be used to generate energy.
• 😀 The excess amino acids are broken down into two parts: the amino group and the remaining components used for energy.
• 😀 The remaining portion of the amino acid is converted to glycogen, a carbohydrate, which is stored in the liver.
• 😀 Glycogen in the liver can later be converted to glucose to produce energy for the cells.
• 😀 The amino group, after being removed, is converted into ammonia, which is toxic to the body.
• 😀 Ammonia is converted into urea through a reaction with carbon dioxide, making it less toxic.
• 😀 Urea and water are sent to the kidneys, where they are excreted in urine as waste.

Q & A

What is deamination?

Deamination is the process by which excess amino acids are converted into urea, a waste product, in the liver.

Where does deamination occur in the body?

Deamination takes place in the liver.

What role do enzymes play in deamination?

Enzymes known as diaminesis aid in the process of deamination by helping to remove the amino group from the amino acid.

What are the three main components of an amino acid?

The three main components of an amino acid are the carboxyl group, the R group (a carbon chain), and the amino group.

What happens to the remaining part of the amino acid after deamination?

The remaining part of the amino acid, after the amino group is removed, is used to produce energy. It is first converted into glycogen, a stored form of carbohydrate.

What is glycogen and how does it contribute to energy production?

Glycogen is a polysaccharide made of glucose units. It is stored in the liver and can be converted into glucose when the body needs energy.

What happens to the amino group during deamination?

The amino group is converted into ammonia, which is toxic. The body then neutralizes it by combining ammonia with carbon dioxide to form urea.

Why is ammonia dangerous to the body?

Ammonia is toxic to the body because it can disrupt normal cellular processes, so it must be converted into a less harmful compound, such as urea.

What is urea and how is it excreted from the body?

Urea is a less toxic substance produced from the reaction of ammonia with carbon dioxide. It is excreted from the body through the kidneys in the form of urine.

How does the body regulate excess amino acids?

The body regulates excess amino acids by converting the amino group into urea and using the remaining part for energy production or storage as glycogen.