OXALOACETATE Meaning and
Definition
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Oxaloacetate is a four-carbon molecule that is an intermediate product in the Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle or the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. It is a key compound involved in energy metabolism in living organisms.
In the context of cellular respiration, oxaloacetate plays a crucial role in the cycle by accepting and donating carbons during various reactions. It initiates the cycle by reacting with acetyl-CoA to form citrate, a six-carbon molecule that goes through a series of chemical reactions, ultimately producing energy-rich molecules like ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and electron carriers like NADH and FADH2.
Furthermore, oxaloacetate is involved in other metabolic pathways as well. It participates in gluconeogenesis, a process where glucose is synthesized from non-carbohydrate sources. Oxaloacetate is converted into phosphoenolpyruvate, which eventually leads to glucose formation.
Additionally, oxaloacetate is part of the aspartate-family amino acid biosynthesis pathway. It can be converted into aspartate, another important compound involved in protein synthesis and various biochemical reactions.
Overall, oxaloacetate functions as a critical component in energy production and metabolic pathways. Its versatile nature allows it to participate in different processes, making it an essential molecule for the proper functioning of living organisms.
Common Misspellings for OXALOACETATE
- ixaloacetate
- kxaloacetate
- lxaloacetate
- pxaloacetate
- 0xaloacetate
- 9xaloacetate
- ozaloacetate
- ocaloacetate
- odaloacetate
- osaloacetate
- oxzloacetate
- oxsloacetate
- oxwloacetate
- oxqloacetate
- oxakoacetate
- oxapoacetate
- oxaooacetate
- oxaliacetate
- oxal0acetate
- oxalocetate
- oxaloaceate
- xoaloacetate
- Oxaloacetetate
- Oxaloacitrate
Etymology of OXALOACETATE
The word "oxaloacetate" is derived from the combination of two terms: "oxalo-" and "acetate".
The prefix "oxalo-" is derived from the Greek word "oxys", meaning "sour" or "acidic". This prefix is often used in chemical terms to indicate the presence of a carbonyl group in a compound.
The term "acetate" comes from the Latin word "acetum", meaning "vinegar". It refers to the biochemical compound acetic acid, which is commonly found in vinegar.
Therefore, "oxaloacetate" can be understood as a compound that contains both oxalo- (indicating the presence of a carbonyl group) and acetate (indicating the presence of acetic acid or its derivatives). Oxaloacetate is an important intermediate in various metabolic pathways, including the citric acid cycle.
Similar spelling word for OXALOACETATE
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