Question:easy
Uric acid is formed by?
Uric acid is formed by?
Show Hint
Think xanthine oxidase and the bases adenine and guanine.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- Catabolism of proteins
- Catabolism of ketones
- Catabolism of purines
- Catabolism of pyrimidines
Show Solution
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Recall the two classes of nucleic acid bases. Purines (adenine, guanine) and pyrimidines (cytosine, thymine, uracil) follow separate degradation routes.
Step 2: The purine pathway converges on xanthine, which xanthine oxidase oxidizes to uric acid. So the nitrogenous waste from purines is uric acid.
Step 3: Pyrimidine breakdown gives soluble end products and no uric acid, while proteins yield urea via the urea cycle and ketones are oxidized for energy. Therefore the source of uric acid is purine catabolism.
\[\boxed{\text{Catabolism of purines}}\]
Step 2: The purine pathway converges on xanthine, which xanthine oxidase oxidizes to uric acid. So the nitrogenous waste from purines is uric acid.
Step 3: Pyrimidine breakdown gives soluble end products and no uric acid, while proteins yield urea via the urea cycle and ketones are oxidized for energy. Therefore the source of uric acid is purine catabolism.
\[\boxed{\text{Catabolism of purines}}\]
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