How Do You Spell UROCANINIC ACID?

1. Urocaninic acid is an organic compound and a metabolite in the human body that is involved in the breakdown of histidine, an essential amino acid. It is derived from histidine through a series of enzymatic reactions. Chemically, urocaninic acid is classified as an imidazole derivative and is also known as 4-imidazoline-2-one-4-hydroxy.

   In the human body, urocaninic acid is synthesized in the liver and subsequently converted into other compounds through various metabolic pathways. One of the major metabolic products of urocaninic acid is 4-imidazoleacrylic acid, which can further undergo enzymatic reactions and be excreted as a waste product in the urine.

   Urocaninic acid plays a critical role in the urea cycle, which is responsible for detoxifying ammonia, a byproduct of protein metabolism. It acts as an intermediate in the conversion of histidine to glutamate, facilitating the removal of excess nitrogen from the body. Additionally, urocaninic acid is involved in the regulation of cellular processes, including oxidative stress, through its antioxidant properties.

   Although urocaninic acid is mainly produced within the body, it can also be obtained through dietary sources such as meat, dairy products, and certain grains. Overall, urocaninic acid is an essential component in the metabolism of histidine and contributes to the overall functioning and balance of various biochemical processes within the human body.

2. A substance, C12H12N4O4, occurring in acicular crystals, obtained from dog's urine; it is converted by heat into urocanine.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for UROCANINIC ACID

The word "urocaninic" is derived from "urocanic acid", which originated from the combination of two terms: "urocanic" and "acid".

The term "urocanic" can be traced back to "urocan", referring to urocanic acid's precursor molecule, "urocanase". "Urocan" is derived from the word "urochrome", which is a yellow pigment found in urine. The "uro-" prefix indicates its association with urine, while "chrome" refers to color.

The second part of the word is "acid", which is borrowed from the Latin word "acidus", meaning sour. In chemistry, an acid refers to a substance that has a sour taste and can react with metals. Hence, "urocanic acid" refers to the acid produced from the conversion of urocan or urocanase, which is relevant to urine and possesses acidic properties.