Urea

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/urea

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. Who discovered Urea?First organic compound synthesized from inorganic precursors
2. What is the chemical formula?CO(NH2)2
3. What is the primary biological function?Nitrogen excretion in mammals
4. What is urea and why is it in pee?Urea is a chemical that our bodies make when we break down protein. It is the main way we get rid of extra nitrogen, so it ends up in pee.
5. How does urea help plants grow?Urea is a fertilizer that gives plants the nitrogen they need. When it breaks down in soil, it turns into ammonia and ammonium, which plants can use to make food.

Nitrogen Metabolism: The biochemical processes involved in the uptake, utilization, and excretion of nitrogen.
Protein Catabolism: The breakdown of proteins into amino acids and other smaller molecules.
Ammonia: A colorless gas with a pungent odor, highly toxic and a byproduct of protein breakdown.
Vitalism: A historical philosophical doctrine that living organisms are fundamentally different from non-living entities due to the presence of a vital force.