During which process do amino acids lose their amine or nitrogen group?

Amino acids undergo various processes in the body, particularly in the context of energy production and the synthesis of other molecules. One key process in this context is the loss of the amine or nitrogen group, which occurs during oxidative deamination. This process specifically involves the removal of the amino group from an amino acid, converting it into a keto acid and releasing ammonia. It is a crucial step in metabolic pathways where amino acids are deconstructed for energy or for the synthesis of non-essential amino acids.

Transamination, on the other hand, is also a process that involves amino acids but does so by transferring the amino group from one amino acid to another, rather than simply removing it. While transamination is important for synthesizing non-essential amino acids and maintaining nitrogen balance, it does not fundamentally result in the loss of the nitrogen group but rather its redistribution.

Since both processes are involved in handling amino acids and nitrogen, the correct answer encompasses both oxidative deamination, which directly removes the amine group, and transamination, which involves the transfer of amino groups between amino acids. This duality highlights their roles in amino acid metabolism, making the choice that includes both processes accurate.