What occurs during the process of deamination?

During the process of deamination, amino groups are removed from amino acids. This biochemical reaction is critical in the metabolism of amino acids, particularly when the body needs to eliminate excess nitrogen or convert amino acids into usable forms for energy or other metabolic processes. The removal of the amino group results in the formation of ammonia, which is toxic in high concentrations and is subsequently converted to urea in the liver for excretion.

When amino acids undergo deamination, they can also be transformed into various metabolites that enter the citric acid cycle for energy production or can be used for gluconeogenesis if needed. This process is especially important during fasting or prolonged exercise when the body relies on amino acids as an energy source.

The other choices refer to different metabolic processes. The synthesis of amino acids involves the addition of various precursor molecules rather than the removal of amino groups. Adding amino groups to acids is associated with amination, the opposite of deamination. The conversion of amino acids to glucose happens in gluconeogenesis but does not directly describe the process of deamination itself. Thus, the accurate definition and outcome of deamination is the removal of amino groups from amino acids.