QUINOLINIC ACID Meaning and
Definition
-
Quinolinic acid is a chemical compound with the molecular formula C7H5NO4. It belongs to a class of chemicals known as quinolines and is derived from the aromatic compound quinoline. Quinolinic acid is a white crystalline solid that is soluble in water.
In terms of its chemical structure, quinolinic acid consists of a quinoline ring system fused to a carboxylic acid group (-COOH) and a carboxamide group (-CONH2). The compound is naturally produced in the human body through the metabolism of the amino acid tryptophan, which plays a crucial role in various biological processes.
Quinolinic acid is known for its involvement in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly in the central nervous system. It acts as an excitotoxin, causing excessive stimulation of nerve cells and subsequent neuronal death through the activation of a specific receptor called the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. This excitotoxicity has been linked to several neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and stroke.
In addition to its role in disease pathology, quinolinic acid also serves various physiological functions in the body. It acts as a precursor for the synthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a coenzyme involved in cellular energy production and DNA repair processes. Furthermore, quinolinic acid has been implicated in inflammation regulation and immune responses, as it can stimulate the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Overall, quinolinic acid is a biochemically significant compound with dual physiological roles in health and disease, making it a subject of extensive research in the field of neuroscience and medicine.
Common Misspellings for QUINOLINIC ACID
- 1uinolinic acid
- 2uinolinic acid
- wuinolinic acid
- auinolinic acid
- qyinolinic acid
- qhinolinic acid
- qjinolinic acid
- qiinolinic acid
- q8inolinic acid
- q7inolinic acid
- quunolinic acid
- qujnolinic acid
- quknolinic acid
- quonolinic acid
- qu9nolinic acid
- qu8nolinic acid
- quibolinic acid
- quimolinic acid
- quijolinic acid
- quiholinic acid
Etymology of QUINOLINIC ACID
The word "quinolinic acid" is derived from its chemical structure and composition.
The term "quinolinic" is derived from the word "quinoline", which refers to a class of organic compounds characterized by a fused ring structure composed of a benzene ring and a pyridine ring. Quinoline is derived from the Latin word "quinque", meaning "five", since it consists of a five-membered ring.
The term "acid" is due to the chemical's acidic properties, as it can donate a hydrogen ion (H+) in a chemical reaction.
Therefore, the term "quinolinic acid" refers to an acid compound derived from quinoline.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
