Urea biosynthesis takes place mainly in which part?
- A. Lungs
- B. Kidney
- C. Liver
- D. Heart
Answer: C. Liver
- Urea is a critical waste product of nitrogen metabolism in mammals.
- The urea cycle, a series of biochemical reactions, converts toxic ammonia into less harmful urea for excretion through the urine.
- The majority of the urea cycle enzymes are located in the mitochondria and cytoplasm of liver cells. This means that the liver is specially equipped to efficiently handle urea production.
- While the kidneys can also synthesize some urea, the liver is responsible for about 80-90% of total urea production in humans.