3. The amino groups and carbon skeletons of amino acids, take separate but interconnected path ways The amino group is reused or excreted, as ammonia urea(via the urea cycle) or uric acid The carbon skeletons(a-keto acids) generally find their way to the citric acid cycle for further oxidation or conversion. The degradation of the carbon skeletons may be very complicated but similar to that of fatty acids in some cases3. The amino groups and carbon skeletons of amino acids take separate but interconnected pathways • The amino group is reused or excreted, as ammonia, urea (via the urea cycle) or uric acid. • The carbon skeletons (a-keto acids) generally find their way to the citric acid cycle for further oxidation or conversion. • The degradation of the carbon skeletons may be very complicated but similar to that of fatty acids in some cases