Question:

Uric acid is formed by?

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Think xanthine oxidase and the bases adenine and guanine.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
  • Catabolism of proteins
  • Catabolism of ketones
  • Catabolism of purines
  • Catabolism of pyrimidines
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Uric acid is the end product of purine (adenine and guanine) catabolism in humans. Pyrimidine catabolism does not yield uric acid.

Step 2: Purines are degraded to hypoxanthine and xanthine, which are then oxidized by xanthine oxidase to uric acid. This is the rate-limiting step targeted by allopurinol in gout.

Step 3: Protein and ketone catabolism do not generate uric acid; pyrimidines are degraded to highly soluble products like beta-alanine, carbon dioxide, and ammonia. Hence uric acid arises from catabolism of purines.
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