Urea is an
organic compound of
carbon,
nitrogen,
oxygen and
hydrogen, with the
formula CON2H4 and the structure
-
In many land animals, it is the main end product of the metabolism of nitrogen-containing compounds, and is excreted in the urine.
Animals produce urea in the urea cycle, as it is a safe way to get rid of excess nitrogen.
Urea was discovered by
Hilaire Rouelle in
1773. It was the first organic compound to be artificially synthesised in
1828 by
Friedrich Woehler, who prepared it by the reaction of
potassium cyanate with
ammonium sulfate. This disproved the theory that the chemicals of living organisms are substantially different from inanimate matter and started the discipline of
organic chemistry.
Its principal industrial use is the manufacture of
plastics (specifically, urea-formaldehyde resin).
It is also a component of many fertilisers, providing a nitrogen source that is necessary for plants.
other uses besides to be added
It is a powerful protein denaturant.
Because urea is produced and excreted at a roughly constant rate, high levels of urea in the blood indicate a problem with the removal, or more rarely with the over-production, of urea in the body.
The most common cause of hyperuricaemia is renal problems. It is measured along with creatinine to indicate direct problems with the kidneys (e.g. chronic renal failure) or secondary problems such as hypothyroidism.
Urea levels can also be increased in some malignant blood disorders, (e.g. leukaemia and multiple myeloma). There are also rare inherited metabolic defects that can cause hyperuricaemia.