The chemical compound ammonium is formed in an acid-base reaction from the gaseous base ammonia. Ammonia is a strongly pungent smelling, colourless, water-soluble poisonous gas that causes tears and has a suffocating effect. Biologically, ammonia has an important function as an intermediate product in the synthesis and breakdown of amino acids (basic building blocks for animal and plant proteins). In larger quantities, it is converted into the non-toxic urea for excretion in the body or, in birds, into uric acid. Large quantities of ammonia are produced during the decomposition of dead organisms or excrement by fungi and bacteria.
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Dr. Christa Hanten
Fachjournalistin, Lektorin und Verkosterin, Wien