Oxaloacetic acid
Oxaloacetic acid (pronunciation: /ɒksəloʊəˈsiːtɪk/ oks-ə-loh-ə-SEE-tik) is a four-carbon molecule often involved in metabolism and the citric acid cycle.
Etymology
The term "Oxaloacetic acid" is derived from the Greek words oxys meaning "sharp" and acetic which is derived from acetum, the Latin word for vinegar. The name reflects its nature as a metabolic intermediate of the acetic acid (vinegar) metabolism.
Biochemical Role
In biochemistry, oxaloacetic acid is an important metabolic intermediate that participates in many biochemical reactions. It is a key component in the citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle or the tricarboxylic acid cycle, where it reacts with Acetyl CoA to form citrate, catalyzed by the enzyme citrate synthase.
Oxaloacetic acid is also a key intermediate in gluconeogenesis, a metabolic pathway that results in the generation of glucose from non-carbohydrate carbon substrates.
Chemical Structure
Oxaloacetic acid is a four-carbon dicarboxylic acid with the chemical formula C4H4O5. It contains two carboxyl groups (-COOH) and a keto group (>C=O).
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Oxaloacetic acid
- Wikipedia's article - Oxaloacetic acid
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