GLYCOCHOLIC ACID Meaning and
Definition
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Glycocholic Acid is a bile acid that is naturally produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. It plays a vital role in the digestion and absorption of dietary fats. This compound is formed by the conjugation of cholic acid with glycine, resulting in a water-soluble molecule.
In the gastrointestinal tract, glycocholic acid aids in the emulsification and solubilization of fats, facilitating their breakdown by digestive enzymes. This process increases the surface area of fats, allowing lipases to efficiently break them down into smaller components called fatty acids and glycerol. These breakdown products are then absorbed in the small intestine for further metabolism and energy production.
Glycocholic acid also serves as a signaling molecule in several physiological processes. It acts as a regulator of bile flow, stimulating the secretion of bile by the liver and facilitating its release into the small intestine to aid in fat digestion. Additionally, it contributes to the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and dietary cholesterol.
Furthermore, glycocholic acid has been utilized in medical research and pharmaceutical applications. It is commonly employed as a reagent in biochemical studies and as a component in the formulation of certain pharmaceutical drugs. Its role as a therapeutic agent is being explored in various fields, including drug delivery and drug targeting systems.
In summary, glycocholic acid is a naturally occurring bile acid that plays a crucial role in the digestion and absorption of dietary fats, as well as serving as a signaling molecule in various physiological processes.
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The chief acid of the bile, occurring in combination with alkalies.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for GLYCOCHOLIC ACID
- flycocholic acid
- vlycocholic acid
- blycocholic acid
- hlycocholic acid
- ylycocholic acid
- tlycocholic acid
- gkycocholic acid
- gpycocholic acid
- goycocholic acid
- gltcocholic acid
- glgcocholic acid
- glhcocholic acid
- glucocholic acid
- gl7cocholic acid
- gl6cocholic acid
- glyxocholic acid
- glyvocholic acid
- glyfocholic acid
- glydocholic acid
- glycicholic acid
Etymology of GLYCOCHOLIC ACID
The word "glycocholic" is derived from two parts: "glyco-" and "cholic acid".
1. "Glyco-" is derived from the Greek word "glykys", meaning sweet or sugar, and is commonly used in chemistry to refer to a sugar or a substance containing a sugar group. In this case, it refers to the presence of a sugar group in the molecule.
2. "Cholic acid" comes from the Greek word "khoλή" (khole), which means bile. It is a type of bile acid, which is a component of bile, a digestive fluid produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile acids aid in the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine.
Therefore, "glycocholic acid" refers to a specific type of bile acid that contains a sugar group.
