Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

Which of the following statements is true about the production of urea?

1. It is produced primarily in the kidneys

2. It is a product of protein metabolism

3. It is a waste product formed from glucose

4. It is transformed into glycogen

The correct answer is: It is a product of protein metabolism

The statement regarding urea being a product of protein metabolism is accurate. Urea is primarily formed in the liver through a series of biochemical reactions known as the urea cycle. This process is a crucial part of nitrogen metabolism, where ammonia, a toxic by-product of protein breakdown, is converted into urea, allowing for safe excretion via urine. In contrast, the other statements misrepresent the context of urea production. It is not produced primarily in the kidneys; rather, the kidneys are responsible for filtering urea from the blood and excreting it in urine. Urea is also not formed from glucose; instead, glucose metabolism produces other compounds. Lastly, urea is not transformed into glycogen; instead, glycogen is a storage form of glucose, unrelated to the urea cycle. Understanding these aspects of urea production highlights its vital role in detoxifying ammonia from protein metabolism.