Question

State role of liver in urea production.

Answer 1

Hint: We are familiar that Urea is also known as carbamide which is an organic compound. Urea is the end waste outcome of protein metabolism. It plays a crucial role in processing of nitrogen containing compounds by mammals and is the key nitrogen containing component in mammal urine.

Complete answer:
The liver prepares urea by combining two molecules of ammonia with one molecule of carbon dioxide in the urea cycle. Urea actively plays an important role in the countercurrent system of nephrons which allows the re- absorption of water molecules and other unwanted ions from the urine being excreted. In addition increased urea concentration impairs the response of fat deposition to insulin. Such insulin sensitivity is prone to the effects of pre- diabetes in patients with renal impairment. The blood urea nitrogen test is a measurement of the amount of nitrogen in the blood that derives from urea. It is used as a marker for kidney dysfunction, even though it is lower than other measures such as creatinine since blood urea level is influenced by other factors such as diet and dehydration. For this reason, urea is analyzed in patients undergoing dialysis.

Additional information:
Urea which is produced in a lab setup is widely used as a source of nitrogen in fertilisers and is an essential substance for the chemical sector. An adult usually excretes about 25 g of urea each day. When urea persists the bacteria convert it back to ammonia causing the familiar pungent smell of latrines. Any condition which adversely affects the elimination of urea by the kidneys can lead to uremia. In order to treat the disease either the root of kidney failure must be replaced or the patient must receive a blood dialysis to clear the waste products from the blood.

Note: Urea is a colourless, odourless solid, and highly water soluble in nature. It is basically non-toxic. When urea is mixed with water it is neither acidic nor alkaline. It is being used by the body in so many processes particularly in nitrogen expelling.