What Does the Liver Do?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
3. Converts Poisonous Ammonia to Urea
Ammonia is produced as a result of nitrogen metabolism in the body. In order for it to be excreted, ammonia is turned into urea through a series of reactions collectively called the urea cycle. These reactions take place in the cytosol and mitochondrial matrix of the liver.
The urea cycle involves a total of five reactions, which are catalyzed by various key enzymes. The first two reactions take place in the mitochondrial matrix, and end with the ammonia being turned into citrulline. The remaining reactions then happen in the cytosol where the citrulline formed in the previous steps is eventually turned into urea, which can be excreted through urine
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