What are the two primary products of protein breakdown?

The two primary products of protein breakdown are amino acids and nitrogen. When proteins are metabolized, they undergo a process called deamination, where the amino groups (which contain nitrogen) are removed. This results in the formation of individual amino acids that can be used by the body for various functions, including the synthesis of new proteins or conversion into other compounds for energy production. The nitrogen released during this process is then typically converted into urea in the liver and excreted from the body through urine, making nitrogen a critical byproduct of protein metabolism.

Other options include combinations of macronutrients that do not accurately reflect the direct products of protein breakdown. For example, fatty acids and glucose are associated with the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, not proteins. Similarly, while proteins are made of amino acids, they themselves are not products of protein breakdown. Thus, the correct pairing of amino acids and nitrogen reflects the actual biochemically relevant outcomes of protein catabolism.