Deamination is the biochemical process through which an amino group (-NH2) is removed from an amino acid or other nitrogen-containing compound. This process is crucial for the metabolism of amino acids, allowing for their conversion into energy or other compounds. In animals, deamination primarily occurs in the liver, where amino acids are broken down, and the resulting ammonia is converted to urea for excretion. Deamination plays a significant role in nitrogen metabolism and the regulation of amino acid levels in the body.