Urea is the breakdown product of

Options

A. lipids
B. glucose
C. fatty acids
D. amino acid

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Proteins**:
- Proteins are large biomolecules made up of chains of amino acids. They play crucial roles in the body, including structural, enzymatic, and regulatory functions.

**Hint**: Remember that proteins are composed of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins.

2. **Protein Metabolism**:
- When proteins are metabolized, they are broken down into their constituent amino acids. This process is essential for the body to utilize the proteins for energy or to synthesize new proteins.

**Hint**: Think about how the body breaks down food into smaller components for energy or rebuilding.

3. **Amino Acid Breakdown**:
- During the breakdown of amino acids, one of the byproducts is ammonium ions (NH4+). This occurs because amino acids contain nitrogen, which is released during metabolism.

**Hint**: Focus on the nitrogen content of amino acids and how it is released during their breakdown.

4. **Formation of Urea**:
- The ammonium ions produced are highly toxic, so the body converts them into a less toxic compound, urea. This conversion occurs when ammonium ions combine with carbon dioxide (CO2) in a process known as the urea cycle.

**Hint**: Recall the importance of detoxifying ammonia in the body and how it leads to the formation of urea.

5. **Chemical Formula of Urea**:
- The chemical formula for urea is CO(NH2)2, which reflects its composition of carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen.

**Hint**: Remember the structure of urea and how it relates to its formation from ammonium and carbon dioxide.

6. **Excretion Process**:
- Once formed, urea is transported to the liver for further metabolism and then excreted from the body through urine, thus eliminating excess nitrogen.

**Hint**: Think about the excretory system and how waste products like urea are removed from the body.

**Final Answer**: Urea is the breakdown product of amino acids.

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