/

In which organ of the human body is urea produced as a result of the breakdown of amino acids?

A. liver

B. pancreas

C. stomach

D. small intestine

Answer Explanation:

A) liver

- Correct: Urea is produced in the liver as a result of the breakdown of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and when proteins are metabolized for energy or other purposes, their constituent amino acids are broken down in a process called deamination. During deamination, the amino groups (-NH2) are removed from the amino acids, forming ammonia (NH3). The liver converts ammonia into urea through a series of biochemical reactions known as the urea cycle. Urea is then excreted by the kidneys in the urine, helping to remove nitrogenous waste from the body.

B) pancreas

- Incorrect: The pancreas is an organ involved in the production of digestive enzymes and hormones such as insulin and glucagon. It is not primarily responsible for the production of urea from the breakdown of amino acids.

C) stomach

- Incorrect: The stomach is primarily involved in the mechanical and chemical digestion of food, particularly proteins. While protein digestion begins in the stomach with the action of gastric juices containing enzymes such as pepsin, urea production from the breakdown of amino acids occurs mainly in the liver.

D) small intestine

- Incorrect: The small intestine is primarily involved in the absorption of nutrients from digested food, rather than the production of urea from the breakdown of amino acids. While some amino acids may be absorbed in the small intestine, urea production primarily occurs in the liver.

Therefore, the Correct Answer is A.

More Questions on TEAS 7 Science

  • Q #1: The graph below shows the effect of environmental temperature on a girl's skin temperature and on her internal body temperature. Which statement best describes what happens as environmental temperature increases from 20ºC to 30ºC?

    A. Both the internal and the skin temperatures reach 40ºC.

    B. Both the internal and the skin temperatures increase by about 7ºC.

    C. The skin temperature decreases to about 30ºC.

    D. The internal temperature increases by about 1ºC.

    Answer Explanation

    D) The internal temperature increases by about 1ºC.

    - Correct: As environmental temperature increases from 20ºC to 30ºC, the body's internal temperature tends to increase slightly. This is due to the body's thermoregulatory mechanisms, which work to maintain a relatively constant internal temperature (around 37ºC or 98.6ºF) despite fluctuations in environmental temperature. When the environmental temperature rises, the body responds by increasing blood flow to the skin and by initiating mechanisms such as sweating to dissipate heat and maintain thermal equilibrium. However, the increase in environmental temperature may result in a slight increase in internal temperature, typically by about 1ºC, as the body works to dissipate excess heat.

    A) Both the internal and the skin temperatures reach 40ºC.

    - Incorrect: A 10ºC increase in environmental temperature from 20ºC to 30ºC is not likely to cause both internal and skin temperatures to reach 40ºC. Such a significant increase would likely lead to heatstroke or hyperthermia, which can be life-threatening.

    B) Both the internal and the skin temperatures increase by about 7ºC.

    - Incorrect: A 10ºC increase in environmental temperature is not likely to cause both internal and skin temperatures to increase by about 7ºC. Such a large increase in temperature would be excessive and would likely lead to severe heat-related illnesses.

    C) The skin temperature decreases to about 30ºC.

    - Incorrect: In response to an increase in environmental temperature, the body typically increases blood flow to the skin and initiates mechanisms such as sweating to dissipate heat. This would not result in a decrease in skin temperature to match the environmental temperature of 30ºC.

  • Q #2: Which is a function of the liver in human adults?

    A. manufacturing red blood cells

    B. producing chemical compounds known as auxins

    C. storing the carbohydrate reserve glycogen

    D. synthesizing the hormone insulin

    Answer Explanation

    C) storing the carbohydrate reserve glycogen

    - Correct: One of the functions of the liver in human adults is storing the carbohydrate reserve glycogen. Glycogen is a polysaccharide that serves as a storage form of glucose in the body. When blood glucose levels are high, such as after a meal, the liver takes up excess glucose and converts it into glycogen for storage. When blood glucose levels drop, such as between meals or during fasting, the liver breaks down glycogen and releases glucose into the bloodstream to maintain blood sugar levels within a normal range.

    A) manufacturing red blood cells

    - Incorrect: The primary site of red blood cell production (erythropoiesis) in adults is the bone marrow, not the liver. While the liver is involved in the production of blood proteins and components, such as albumin, clotting factors, and plasma proteins, it is not responsible for manufacturing red blood cells.

    B) producing chemical compounds known as auxins

    - Incorrect: Auxins are a class of plant hormones involved in various physiological processes, such as cell elongation, apical dominance, and root development. They are not produced by the liver in human adults.

    D) synthesizing the hormone insulin

    - Incorrect: Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, not the liver. Insulin plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells for energy production or storage. While the liver responds to insulin by regulating glucose metabolism and storage, it does not synthesize insulin itself.

  • Q #3: Pancreatic juice ________.

    A. deactivates bile.

    B. is secreted by pancreatic islet cells.

    C. buffers chyme.

    D. is released into the cystic duct.

    Answer Explanation

    c) buffers chyme.

    - Correct: Pancreatic juice contains bicarbonate ions, which act as buffers to neutralize the acidic chyme entering the duodenum from the stomach. This neutralization is essential for maintaining the optimal pH for the activity of digestive enzymes in the small intestine.

    a) deactivates bile.

    - Incorrect: Pancreatic juice does not deactivate bile. Bile is not deactivated in the digestive process; instead, it aids in the emulsification and digestion of fats in the small intestine.

    b) is secreted by pancreatic islet cells.

    - Incorrect: Pancreatic juice is secreted by exocrine cells called pancreatic acinar cells, not by pancreatic islet cells. Pancreatic islet cells secrete hormones such as insulin and glucagon, which regulate blood glucose levels.

    d) is released into the cystic duct.

    - Incorrect: Pancreatic juice is released into the duodenum through the pancreatic duct, not the cystic duct. The cystic duct connects the gallbladder to the common bile duct, allowing bile to be released into the duodenum when needed for digestion.