The first step in using amino acids as fuel is to __________ them.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first step in using amino acids as fuel is to deaminate them, which means to remove the amino group (-NH2) from the amino acid molecule. This process yields ammonia (NH3) and a keto acid, which can then enter the pathways of cellular respiration to produce ATP. The ammonia is toxic and must be further processed by the liver to form urea, which is excreted in the urine. Digestion, transamination, amination, and synthesis are not the first steps in using amino acids as fuel.

The First Step in Using Amino Acids as Fuel Is