FURTHER FATE OF AMINO ACIDS 107 



CH a .CH a .CH a .CH.COOH 

 NH 2 



C = O + NH a NH a 



I 

 NH a 



Omithine 



SYNTHESIS OF AMINO ACIDS 



It has been demonstrated that alanine, phenylalanine 

 and tyrosine may be synthesized in the liver by per- 

 fusion of ammonium salts of ketone acids. 



R.CH,.CO.COONH 4 



Ammonium salt of ketonic acid 



COOH R.CH a .CH.NH a .COOH 



"NH 



Imino acid hydrate Ammo acid 



The possibility of synthesis of amino acids in this 

 manner renders the interpretation of metabolic changes 

 in the tissues more complex than ever and confers upon 

 the organism a range of synthetic powers practically 

 unlimited. 



Under ordinary circumstances, however, it is un- 

 likely that amino acids are synthesized to a great extent 



