What term describes the enzyme that removes the amino group from amino acids?

The correct answer, deaminase, refers specifically to an enzyme that catalyzes the removal of an amino group from amino acids. This process is known as deamination and is crucial in amino acid metabolism, particularly in the conversion of amino acids into intermediates that can enter various metabolic pathways, including the urea cycle for nitrogen excretion.

In organisms, deaminase plays a key role in maintaining nitrogen balance and contributes to the production of energy through the breakdown of amino acids. This process is essential for the normal functioning of cellular metabolism and for the overall health of the organism.

The other terms relate to different enzymatic functions: decarboxylases remove carboxyl groups from amino acids, proteases break down proteins into smaller peptides or amino acids, and transaminases facilitate the transfer of amino groups between amino acids and keto acids, which is involved in amino acid synthesis and metabolism. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the specific role of deaminase in metabolic processes.