The word "oxalacetate" is spelled as /ɑksələˈsɛteɪt/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "ox" is pronounced as /ɑks/, followed by a short vowel sound in "a" and the consonant cluster "l" and "a" in the second syllable. The third syllable starts with the consonant cluster "c" and "e", then followed by the vowel sound "a". The final syllable is pronounced as /teɪt/ with the "t" sound at the end. "Oxalacetate" is a chemical compound commonly found in metabolic pathways in living organisms.
Oxalacetate is a chemical compound with the formula C4H4O5, which is derived from oxalic acid. It is an organic compound commonly found in living organisms and plays a crucial role in various metabolic processes. Oxalacetate is an intermediate product formed during the citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle or tricarboxylic acid cycle, which occurs in the mitochondria of cells.
In the citric acid cycle, oxalacetate reacts with acetyl-CoA to form citrate, initiating the cycle. It is also involved in several other key metabolic pathways, including gluconeogenesis (the synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources) and amino acid synthesis. Furthermore, oxalacetate can be converted to phosphoenolpyruvate, a critical molecule in both gluconeogenesis and the glycolysis pathway.
Due to its fundamental role in cellular metabolism, oxalacetate has gained significant attention in both scientific and medical research. It has been investigated for its potential therapeutic benefits in various metabolic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, studies have shown that oxalacetate may have antioxidant properties and could potentially alleviate oxidative stress.
Overall, oxalacetate is an essential intermediate molecule involved in various metabolic pathways within living organisms. Its diverse functions and involvement in crucial reactions make it a valuable compound for studying cellular metabolism and exploring potential therapeutic applications.
The word "oxalacetate" has a scientific and technical origin. It is derived from the combination of two terms: "oxalic" and "acetate".
The term "oxalic" comes from the Greek word "oxalis", meaning "wood sorrel". This name was given because oxalic acid was first isolated from wood sorrel plants. The word "oxalic" refers to oxalic acid, a dicarboxylic acid with the chemical formula COOH-COOH.
The term "acetate" comes from the Latin word "acetum", meaning "vinegar". It refers to the acetate ion, which is a salt or ester of acetic acid. Acetate ions are present in various organic compounds.
Therefore, when these two terms are combined, "oxalic" and "acetate", they form "oxalacetate".