Deamination is the biochemical process in which an amino group (–NH2) is removed from an amino acid or other compounds. This reaction often results in the formation of ammonia and a corresponding keto acid. Deamination is essential for the metabolism of nitrogen-containing compounds and plays a crucial role in the body's ability to utilize proteins for energy and synthesize other molecules. It occurs primarily in the liver and is a key step in the urea cycle, which helps eliminate excess nitrogen from the body.