TRICARBOXYLIC ACIDS Meaning and
Definition
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Tricarboxylic acids are a class of organic compounds that contain three carboxyl (-COOH) functional groups on a single molecule. These carboxyl groups consist of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom, where one of the oxygens also has an -OH group attached. The carbon atom is also bonded to three other atoms or groups, which can vary and give rise to different tricarboxylic acids.
Tricarboxylic acids play crucial roles in various biological processes, particularly in intermediary metabolism. One well-known tricarboxylic acid is citric acid, which is a key intermediate in the citric acid cycle or Krebs cycle. This metabolic pathway occurs in the mitochondria of cells and is involved in generating energy through the oxidation of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Tricarboxylic acids are also found in other metabolic pathways, such as the glyoxylate cycle in certain microorganisms and plants.
In addition to their importance in biological systems, tricarboxylic acids have various industrial applications. For instance, they are used in the production of polymers, resins, and pharmaceutical compounds. Tricarboxylic acids are also utilized as intermediates in the synthesis of many other organic compounds, including dyes, flavors, and fragrances. Overall, tricarboxylic acids represent a versatile group of organic compounds with diverse roles and applications in both biological and industrial contexts.
Common Misspellings for TRICARBOXYLIC ACIDS
- rricarboxylic acids
- fricarboxylic acids
- gricarboxylic acids
- yricarboxylic acids
- 6ricarboxylic acids
- 5ricarboxylic acids
- teicarboxylic acids
- tdicarboxylic acids
- tficarboxylic acids
- tticarboxylic acids
- t5icarboxylic acids
- t4icarboxylic acids
- trucarboxylic acids
- trjcarboxylic acids
- trkcarboxylic acids
- trocarboxylic acids
- tr9carboxylic acids
- tr8carboxylic acids
- trixarboxylic acids
- trivarboxylic acids
Etymology of TRICARBOXYLIC ACIDS
The word "tricarboxylic" is derived from the combination of two components: "tri-" and "carboxylic".
- "Tri-" comes from the Greek prefix "tri-", meaning "three". It denotes the number three or a relationship to the number three.
- "Carboxylic" is derived from the term "carboxyl", which refers to a chemical functional group consisting of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and single-bonded to a hydroxyl group (-OH). The term is derived from the combination of "carbo-" (indicating carbon) and "oxy-" (indicating oxygen).
Therefore, "tricarboxylic" suggests the presence of three carboxyl groups in a molecule.
The term "acids" comes from the Latin word "acidus", which means "sour".
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