Amino acids can be synthesized by reductive amination α-keto of acids (Section 21.8).

Biological organisms can also α-keto convert acids into amino acids, but because H2 and metal catalysts are not available to the cell, they do so by a different mechanism (Section 25.6.)
a. What amino acid is obtained from the reductive amination of each of the following metabolic intermediates in the cell?

b. What amino acids are obtained from the same metabolic intermediates when they are synthesized in the laboratory?

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RC-C- OH excess ammonia RCH- C-o H2/Raney Ni NH CHC-C OH pyruvic acid HOCCH2 C COH HOCCH2CH2C COH oxaloacetic acid α-ketoglutaric acid