If amino acids are oversupplied,
- ?a. ?the body stores them until they are needed.
b. ?the body removes and excretes their amine groups.
- ?c. ?the body converts amino acid residues to glycogen or fat.
- ?d. ?a and b
O e. ?band c
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is e. b and c.
Explanation:
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and they play critical roles in the body. However, when amino acids are oversupplied, the body cannot store them in the same way it stores other nutrients like carbohydrates or fats. Here’s what happens instead:
- Excretion of Amine Groups (Answer b):
- Amino acids consist of an amino group (NH2) and a carboxyl group (COOH). When amino acids are consumed in excess, the body does not store them directly. Instead, the amino group is removed in a process known as deamination. The amine group is converted into ammonia, which is then detoxified by the liver and excreted in the form of urea through the urine. This process is vital because excess ammonia is toxic to the body.
- Conversion to Glycogen or Fat (Answer c):
- After the amine group is removed, the remaining part of the amino acid (called the carbon skeleton) can be used in metabolic pathways. If the body does not need the amino acids for protein synthesis, these carbon skeletons can be converted into intermediates for energy production. They can be converted into glucose via gluconeogenesis or into fatty acids, which can be stored as fat. This conversion allows the body to manage excess amino acids by turning them into a form that can be stored as fat, particularly when caloric intake exceeds the body’s immediate needs.
Why the other options are incorrect:
- a. The body stores them until they are needed: The body does not store amino acids in a similar way it stores glucose (as glycogen) or fat. While amino acids are used to build proteins, they are not stored for later use. Any excess is either converted or excreted.
- d. a and b: As explained above, storing excess amino acids is not an option for the body, so this answer is not correct.
Thus, e. b and c is the correct choice, as both steps (excretion of amine groups and conversion of carbon skeletons to energy storage forms) are part of the body’s response to oversupplied amino acids.