OXALACETIC ACID Meaning and
Definition
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Oxalacetic acid, also known as oxaloacetate, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C4H4O5. It is an intermediate metabolite in many biochemical reactions, playing a crucial role in several metabolic pathways within living organisms.
Oxalacetic acid is primarily involved in the Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle or the tricarboxylic acid cycle. This cycle occurs in the mitochondria of cells and is responsible for the production of high-energy molecules such as ATP, which are used to fuel cellular processes. In the Krebs cycle, oxalacetic acid undergoes various reactions and transformations, ultimately leading to the release of energy-rich molecules.
Additionally, oxalacetic acid serves as a precursor for the synthesis of other important molecules. For instance, it can be converted into aspartic acid through an enzymatic reaction. Aspartic acid is then utilized in the production of proteins, nucleotides, and certain neurotransmitters. This highlights the vital role of oxalacetic acid in the biosynthesis of essential biomolecules necessary for the proper functioning of cells and organisms.
In conclusion, oxalacetic acid is an organic compound that acts as an intermediate metabolite in cellular metabolic processes. It is a crucial component of the Krebs cycle and plays a pivotal role in energy production, as well as being a precursor for the synthesis of other important biomolecules.
Common Misspellings for OXALACETIC ACID
- ixalacetic acid
- kxalacetic acid
- lxalacetic acid
- pxalacetic acid
- 0xalacetic acid
- 9xalacetic acid
- ozalacetic acid
- ocalacetic acid
- odalacetic acid
- osalacetic acid
- oxzlacetic acid
- oxslacetic acid
- oxwlacetic acid
- oxqlacetic acid
- oxakacetic acid
- oxapacetic acid
- oxaoacetic acid
- oxalzcetic acid
- oxalscetic acid
Etymology of OXALACETIC ACID
The word "oxalacetic acid" has its roots in chemistry.
The term "oxal-" comes from the Greek word "oxalos", meaning "sorrel" (a type of plant with sour-tasting leaves). This is because oxalic acid, from which oxalacetic acid is derived, was first isolated from sorrel plants (Oxalis genus) in 1776.
The term "acetic acid" comes from the Latin word "acetum", meaning "vinegar". Acetic acid is the main component in vinegar and was first obtained by distilling vinegar.
When combining these two terms, we get "oxalacetic acid" to describe a chemical compound with properties similar to both oxalic acid and acetic acid.
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