Answer to Question #197449 in Biochemistry for RAMZEY OSMAN

Question

why is ammonium toxic in higher animals?

Answer 1

It is stated , that the one of important toxic effect of ammonia or ammonium is the increased demand of the maintenance energy.

And it caused by the need of to maintain the ion gradients over cytoplasmic membrane , The results also suggest that potassium ions can be used to detoxify ammonia or the ammonium in animal cell cultivations.