Question

Ornithine an amino acid is found

• A. As an intermediate of urea synthesis
• B. As an intermediate of methionine metabolism
• C. As a major fraction of the connective tissue
• D. In bile salts

Answer 1

The correct option is A As an intermediate of urea synthesis

The byproducts of protein metabolism is ammonia, which is highly toxic to the body. Hence it gets converted to urea and uric acid in the liver. The carrier of ammonium ions to the liver is the amino acids like ornithine, citrulline and arginine. These acids through different steps convert the ammonium ions into urea and the carbon dioxide produced is the supplier of carbon atoms. This process is known as urea cycle or ornithine cycle.