Sodium Cholate is a common bile salt used in laboratory research. Its unique spelling is derived from the IPA phonetic transcription [ˈsoʊdiəm ˈkɑːloʊt], where the "sodium" is spelled as it sounds, while "cholate" is pronounced with an emphasis on the "o" sound. The "ch" in "cholate" is a combination of the "k" and "sh" sounds, producing a softer, more rounded consonant. Despite its complex spelling, sodium cholate remains an essential component in numerous scientific experiments and chemical reactions.
Sodium cholate is a chemical compound that falls under the category of a bile salt. It is synthesized from cholesterol and is commonly found in the bile of mammals, including humans. Sodium cholate consists of a sodium ion and a cholic acid molecule, which is a primary bile acid.
Bile acids, such as sodium cholate, play a crucial role in the digestion and absorption of dietary fat. They aid in the emulsification and solubilization of fat molecules in the small intestine, helping in their breakdown by lipase enzymes. Sodium cholate is also involved in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E, and K.
Apart from its physiological functions, sodium cholate has various applications in scientific research and laboratory experiments. It is frequently used as a bile salt supplement in cell culture media to promote the growth and maintenance of certain types of cells. Sodium cholate can also serve as a solubilizing agent for poorly water-soluble drugs in pharmaceutical formulations.
In summary, sodium cholate is a bile salt compound derived from cholesterol that aids in the digestion and absorption of dietary fat. It is involved in the emulsification of fats, absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and has various applications in scientific research and pharmaceuticals.
The word "sodium cholate" is derived from two parts: "sodium" and "cholate".
1. Sodium: Sodium is derived from the Latin word "sodanum" and the French word "soudre", both meaning "a headache remedy" or "headache salts". It was later adapted to the English language as "sodium". Sodium is an element with the symbol Na (from its Latin name, natrium) and atomic number 11. It is an alkali metal and belongs to the group 1 (or 1A) of the periodic table.
2. Cholate: Cholate stems from the Greek word "kholē", meaning "bile". Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder before being released into the small intestine.