Amino acid metabolism

• In animals, amino acids can undergo oxidative degradation in 3 different metabolic ways:-

a) During the normal synthesis and degradation of cellular proteins.

b) When a diet is rich in protein and amino acids are ingested in excess.

c) During starvation in diabetes mellitus, when carbohydrates are either unavailable or not properly utilized.

Note:

a) Ammonotelic animal: Ammonia in most aquatic vertebrates and larvae of amphibians.

b) Ureotelic animals: As urea in terrestrial vertebrates like sharks and humans

c) Uricotelic animals  Uric acid in birds and reptiles.