What does the reaction catalyzed by ornithine transcarbamoylase produce?

Ornithine transcarbamoylase is an enzyme that catalyzes the reaction between carbamoyl phosphate and ornithine. The primary reaction product is citrulline, which is formed as carbamoyl phosphate donates its carbamoyl group to ornithine. This enzymatic reaction is a key step in the urea cycle, which is critical for the detoxification of ammonia in the body through the production of urea. The formation of citrulline is significant because it then enters subsequent steps of the urea cycle, ultimately leading to the production of arginine and urea.

The other answer options do not accurately reflect the products formed by the action of ornithine transcarbamoylase. For example, the option stating that arginine and urea are produced confuses the product of this specific reaction with later products in the urea cycle. Similarly, choices suggesting the formation of glutamate or mentioning carbamoyl phosphate as a product overlook the core reaction that produces citrulline directly from ornithine and carbamoyl phosphate. Thus, understanding this particular reaction's role and products enhances comprehension of the urea cycle overall, emphasizing the importance of citr