UREA CYCLE

The Urea cycle is also known as the Ornithine cycle. Is a cycle of biochemical reaction that produces urea
(NH2) 2CO) from ammonia (NH3).

This cycle occurs in UREOTELIC ORGANISMS. The urea cycle converts highly toxic ammonia to urea for
excretion. The urea cycle take place primarily in the liver and, to a lesser extent, in the kidneys. The main
purpose of the urea cycle is to eliminate toxic ammonia from the body.

About 10 to 20 gram of ammonia is removed from the body of a healthy adult everyday. A
dysfunctional urea cycle would mean excess amount of ammonia in the body, which can lead to
Hyperammonemia and related diseases.

REACTION OF THE UREA CYCLE

Thus the overall equation of the urea cycle is

NH3+CO2+ aspertate+ 3ATP+3H2O converted to Urea +fume rate+2ADP+2Pi+AMP+PPi+H2O.