Arginine is converted into which products?

Arginine is converted into which products?

• A. Ornithine, urea, and CO2
• B. Ornithine, ammonia, and CO2
• C. Ariginine decarboxylase products
• D. Urea, carbon dioxide, water

Answer: (B)

Arginine is acted on by arginase in the urea cycle, where water hydrolyzes arginine to form ornithine and urea. The urea is excreted to rid the body of excess nitrogen, and ornithine is recycled back into the cycle. In this single step, carbon dioxide or free ammonia aren’t direct products. So the actual products are ornithine and urea. Among the options, the one that includes both ornithine and urea best reflects the real outcome, while the others introduce products not produced in this reaction (such as ammonia or CO2) or refer to a different enzymatic activity.

Arginine is acted on by arginase in the urea cycle, where water hydrolyzes arginine to form ornithine and urea. The urea is excreted to rid the body of excess nitrogen, and ornithine is recycled back into the cycle. In this single step, carbon dioxide or free ammonia aren’t direct products. So the actual products are ornithine and urea. Among the options, the one that includes both ornithine and urea best reflects the real outcome, while the others introduce products not produced in this reaction (such as ammonia or CO2) or refer to a different enzymatic activity.