DEOXYCHOLATE Meaning and
Definition
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Deoxycholate is a noun that refers to a bile salt, specifically a secondary bile acid, which is produced in the liver and secreted into the small intestine to aid in the digestion and absorption of fats. It is derived from cholic acid through a process called dehydroxylation, where one hydroxyl group is removed from the molecule.
In terms of its chemical structure, deoxycholate consists of a steroid nucleus with a hydroxyl group at carbon 3 and a carboxyl group at carbon 24. Its unique arrangement and hydrophobic nature make it an effective emulsifier that helps solubilize dietary fats during digestion.
Deoxycholate also plays a role in solubilizing cholesterol and preventing its crystallization, thereby aiding in the prevention of gallstones. Additionally, it contributes to the process of fat absorption by forming micelles, which are small aggregates that surround fat molecules and facilitate their transport across the intestinal epithelium.
Beyond its physiological functions, deoxycholate has found applications in various scientific and research settings. It is commonly utilized in the laboratory as a detergent due to its ability to disrupt lipid membranes, making it useful for solubilizing and isolating membrane proteins. Moreover, deoxycholate has been investigated for its potential therapeutic benefits, such as its use as a vaccine adjuvant or in the treatment of certain cancers.
In conclusion, deoxycholate is a secondary bile acid that aids in the digestion and absorption of fats, prevents cholesterol crystallization, and carries out various functions in scientific research and therapeutics.
Common Misspellings for DEOXYCHOLATE
- seoxycholate
- xeoxycholate
- ceoxycholate
- feoxycholate
- reoxycholate
- eeoxycholate
- dwoxycholate
- dsoxycholate
- ddoxycholate
- droxycholate
- d4oxycholate
- d3oxycholate
- deixycholate
- dekxycholate
- delxycholate
- depxycholate
- de0xycholate
- de9xycholate
- deozycholate
- deocycholate
Etymology of DEOXYCHOLATE
The word "deoxycholate" comes from the combination of two roots: "deoxy" and "cholate".
The prefix "deoxy-" derives from the Greek word "deuxis", meaning "lack" or "absence". In scientific terminology, "deoxy-" is commonly used to indicate a compound or molecule that lacks an oxygen atom or a hydroxyl group compared to a similar compound.
The root "cholate" originates from "chole" or "choleia", which means "bile" in Greek. "Cholate" specifically refers to a bile acid. Bile acids are steroid acids found in bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Deoxycholate is a specific type of bile acid characterized by the absence of a hydroxyl group in one of its atoms.
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