Areas of waste compounds can result from the breakdown of various biological molecules, but a common example is the breakdown of proteins. When proteins are metabolized, they are broken down into amino acids, which can then be further degraded. The waste products of amino acid metabolism primarily include nitrogenous compounds, such as urea, uric acid, and ammonia. These compounds are excreted by the body to prevent toxicity from excess nitrogen.
Another example is the breakdown of nucleic acids, which can lead to the production of purines and pyrimidines. The breakdown of purines, for instance, can produce uric acid as a waste product.
Additionally, the breakdown of carbohydrates and lipids can also generate waste products, but nitrogenous wastes are particularly notable when discussing the breakdown of protein and nucleic acids.
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