| a metabolic process by which ammonia derived from amino acids is converted into urea in the liver. |
urea cycle n.
The sequence of chemical reactions that takes place in the liver and that results in the production of urea. The key reaction is the hydrolysis of arginine by arginase to ornithine and urea. Also called Krebs-Henseleit cycle, Krebs ornithine cycle, Krebs urea cycle.