AIIMS 2019 Botany Amino Acid Synthesis MCQ Question

When NH₄⁺ reacts with α-ketoglutaric acid, it undergoes a transamination reaction, resulting in the formation of glutamate. This process involves the incorporation of the ammonium ion (NH₄⁺) into the α-ketoglutarate structure, converting it to glutamate (C₅H₉NO₄).

Option B, fumarate, is a product of the citric acid cycle and does not directly result from this reaction. Option C, pyruvate, is formed from glycolysis and does not involve α-ketoglutaric acid or NH₄⁺. Option D, glutamine, is synthesized from glutamate through the addition of another NH₄⁺, but it is not the direct product of the reaction with α-ketoglutaric acid.