Uric acid is a byproduct of which type of metabolism?

Uric acid is primarily a byproduct of nucleic acid breakdown. This process involves the degradation of purines, which are nitrogenous bases found in nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA. When purines are broken down, they are converted into uric acid, which is eventually excreted from the body through urine. The formation of uric acid from the breakdown of nucleic acids is crucial for maintaining nucleotide balance and for the proper functioning of various biochemical pathways.

The other options represent different metabolic pathways. Protein metabolism involves the degradation of proteins into amino acids and other compounds but does not directly lead to uric acid production. Similarly, amino acid metabolism pertains specifically to the transformation and utilization of amino acids rather than nucleic acids. Fat metabolism focuses on the breakdown of fatty acids and triglycerides for energy, which also does not produce uric acid. Thus, the correct answer is related to the breakdown of nucleic acids, highlighting the specific role that uric acid plays as a metabolic waste product in this context.