Removal of amino group of amino acid to transform it into keto acid is

Options

A. transamination
B. ammonification
C. deamination
D. none of these

Answer

To answer the question regarding the removal of the amino group of an amino acid to transform it into a keto acid, we will analyze the processes involved and identify the correct term.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Amino Acids**: Amino acids are organic compounds that contain an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), and a side chain (R group). The amino group is crucial for the structure and function of amino acids.

2. **Identifying the Processes**: The question presents four options: transamination, ammonification, deamination, and none of these. We need to understand what each term means:
- **Transamination**: This is the process where the amino group from one amino acid is transferred to a keto acid, resulting in the formation of a new amino acid and a new keto acid.
- **Ammonification**: This refers to the conversion of organic nitrogen into ammonia (NH3) or ammonium (NH4+). It involves the breakdown of nitrogenous compounds but does not specifically refer to the transformation of amino acids into keto acids.
- **Deamination**: This is the process of removing the amino group from an amino acid, resulting in the formation of ammonia and a corresponding keto acid. This is directly related to the transformation mentioned in the question.

3. **Choosing the Correct Answer**: Since the question specifically asks about the removal of the amino group from an amino acid to form a keto acid, the correct term is **deamination**. This process directly describes the removal of the amino group, leading to the formation of a keto acid.

4. **Final Answer**: The removal of the amino group of an amino acid to transform it into a keto acid is known as **deamination**.