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Glite Dictionary
alcapton

alcapton

9.9
A chemical acid the body makes when it breaks down parts of proteins
  • noun
  • /ælˈkæptən/
  • Specialized
: alcapton
  • Elevated levels of alcapton in the urine can indicate a rare metabolic disorder.

Examples

  • The doctor explained that the buildup of alcapton is responsible for the darkening of the patient's urine.

  • Researchers study alcapton to better understand disorders affecting amino acid metabolism.

  • Alcapton is essential for understanding metabolic processes.

  • The alcapton levels were tested in the lab.

  • Elevated levels of alcapton in the urine can indicate a rare metabolic disorder.

  • The doctor explained that the buildup of alcapton is responsible for the darkening of the patient's urine.

  • Researchers study alcapton to better understand disorders affecting amino acid metabolism.

Synonyms

homogentisic acid
vsalcapton
  • Specialized
8.6

A chemical made when the body breaks down some amino acids

is a common or variant label rather than the systematic chemical name
alkapton
vsalcapton
  • Specialized
9.9

A chemical that builds up in the body when the body cannot break down some parts of proteins

is the standard description used here not the alternate spelling

Surface Forms

alcapton singular
alcaptone plural
alcaptons plural
alcaptone singular

Etymology

Alcapton is a chemical name for an acid found when the body breaks down the amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine. A helpful way to remember it is that this acid is linked to parts of the body and the urine turning dark, so alcapton is tied to 'darkening' in the body.