urea
/jʊˈriːə
/ /ˈjʊərɪə /noun [mass noun] Biochemistry
A colourless crystalline compound which is the main nitrogenous breakdown product of protein metabolism in mammals and is excreted in urine.
- Chemical formula: CO(NH2)2.
- The chief constituent of the nitrogenous wastes in urine is urea, a product of protein decomposition.
- This enzyme breaks down any urea in the stomach to ammonia and carbon dioxide
Origin
Early 19th century: modern Latin, from French urée, from Greek ouron 'urine'.