What process involves the removal of an amine group to produce ammonia?

• A. Proteolysis
• B. Deamination
• C. Catabolism
• D. Transamination

Answer: (B)

Deamination is the correct answer because it specifically refers to the process in which an amine group is removed from an amino acid or other compound, resulting in the production of ammonia. This reaction is crucial in amino acid metabolism, particularly in the breakdown of amino acids for energy or conversion to other compounds. During deamination, the amino group (–NH2) is eliminated, leading to the formation of ammonia (NH3) and a corresponding keto acid.

Proteolysis refers to the breakdown of proteins into smaller peptides or amino acids, but it does not specifically describe the removal of an amine group. While catabolism is a broader term that encompasses various metabolic pathways that break down molecules, it does not exclusively represent the deamination process. Transamination, on the other hand, involves the transfer of an amine group from one amino acid to a keto acid, resulting in the formation of a new amino acid and a new keto acid, rather than the removal of the amine group entirely. Thus, deamination distinctly focuses on the removal and subsequent production of ammonia, making it the most accurate choice in this context.