Ammonia

Definition

Ammonia is a colorless gas with a pungent odor that is an important inorganic compound essential for human functioning. It is also a byproduct of protein metabolism in the body. Ammonia plays a crucial role in maintaining acid-base balance and serves as a building block for various biomolecules.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ammonia is produced as a byproduct of the breakdown of amino acids during protein metabolism.
2. The liver plays a crucial role in converting the toxic ammonia into the less toxic urea through the urea cycle.
3. Ammonia is also involved in the regulation of acid-base balance in the body, helping to maintain a healthy pH.
4. Excess ammonia in the body can lead to a condition called hyperammonemia, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
5. Ammonia can be used as a building block for the synthesis of various biomolecules, such as amino acids and nucleic acids.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of ammonia in protein metabolism and the urea cycle.
  • Ammonia is a byproduct of the breakdown of amino acids during protein metabolism. The liver plays a crucial role in converting the toxic ammonia into the less toxic urea through a series of enzymatic reactions known as the urea cycle. This process allows the body to safely excrete the nitrogen waste from protein metabolism in the form of urea, which is then filtered out by the kidneys and expelled from the body through urine.
• Describe the importance of ammonia in the regulation of acid-base balance in the body.
  • Ammonia is an important compound in the regulation of the body's acid-base balance. It can act as a buffer, helping to neutralize excess acids by accepting protons (H+ ions) and forming ammonium ions (NH4+). This process helps maintain a healthy pH level in the body, which is crucial for the proper functioning of various physiological processes. Imbalances in ammonia levels can lead to acid-base disorders, such as metabolic alkalosis or acidosis, which can have serious health consequences if left untreated.
• Analyze the potential consequences of excessive ammonia accumulation in the body and the mechanisms the body uses to prevent this.
  • Excessive accumulation of ammonia in the body, a condition known as hyperammonemia, can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Ammonia is a toxic substance that can cross the blood-brain barrier and cause neurological symptoms, such as confusion, seizures, and coma. To prevent this, the body has mechanisms in place, such as the urea cycle, to convert the toxic ammonia into the less harmful urea for excretion. Impairment of these mechanisms, due to liver disease or genetic disorders, can lead to the buildup of ammonia and the development of hyperammonemia, which requires immediate medical intervention to restore normal ammonia levels and prevent permanent brain damage.

Related terms

Urea:

A waste product formed in the liver as the end-product of protein metabolism, which is then excreted by the kidneys in the form of urine.

Glutamine: A non-essential amino acid that can be converted to ammonia and used in various metabolic processes, including the urea cycle.

Urea Cycle:

A series of biochemical reactions that convert the toxic ammonia into the less toxic urea, which is then excreted by the kidneys.