Which Nitrogenous Waste is Very Toxic and Must Be Converted

Question

Which nitrogenous waste is very toxic and must be converted to a less toxic waste by the liver?
A) Ammonia
B) Urea
C) Uric acid
D) Creatinine

Accepted Answer

Ammonia is produced from the breakdown of amino acids. It is extremely toxic, but it is quickly converted by the liver to urea, a less toxic waste. Urea is the most common (50%) nitrogenous waste produced in the body. It is ultimately formed from the breakdown of proteins. Uric acid is formed by the breakdown of nucleic acids. Creatinine is formed from the breakdown of creatine phosphate, a stable energy storage molecule.