from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Urea \U"re*a\, a. [NL. See {Urine}.] (Physiol. Chem.)
A very soluble crystalline body which is the chief
constituent of the urine in mammals and some other animals.
It is also present in small quantity in blood, serous fluids,
lymph, the liver, etc.
[1913 Webster]
Note: It is the main product of the regressive metamorphosis
(katabolism) of proteid matter in the body, and is
excreted daily to the amount of about 500 grains by a
man of average weight. Chemically it is carbamide,
{CO(NH2)2}, and when heated with strong acids or
alkalies is decomposed into carbonic acid and ammonia.
It unites with acids to form salts, as nitrate of urea,
and it can be made synthetically from ammonium cyanate,
with which it is isomeric.
[1913 Webster]
{Urea ferment}, a soluble ferment formed by certain bacteria,
which, however, yield the ferment from the body of their
cells only after they have been killed by alcohol. It
causes urea to take up water and decompose into carbonic
acid and ammonia. Many different bacteria possess this
property, especially {Bacterium ureae} and {Micrococcus
ureae}, which are found abundantly in urines undergoing
alkaline fermentation.
[1913 Webster]