beta-hydroxybutyric acid
- noun
- /ˌbeɪtə haɪˈdrɒksɪˌbjuːtɪrɪk ˈæsɪd/
- Specialized
:
ácido beta-hidroxibutírico
- During prolonged fasting, levels of beta-hydroxybutyric acid in the blood can increase significantly.
Examples
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Elevated beta-hydroxybutyric acid is a hallmark of diabetic ketoacidosis.
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Doctors may measure beta-hydroxybutyric acid in urine to help diagnose metabolic conditions.
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The doctor tested for beta-hydroxybutyric acid levels in the patient's blood.
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High levels of beta-hydroxybutyric acid can indicate diabetic ketoacidosis.
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Doctors may measure beta-hydroxybutyric acid in urine to help diagnose metabolic conditions.
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Elevated beta-hydroxybutyric acid is a hallmark of diabetic ketoacidosis.
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During prolonged fasting, levels of beta-hydroxybutyric acid in the blood can increase significantly.
Synonyms
A chemical the body makes from fat that it uses for energy when you do not eat
A chemical similar to butyric acid with an extra oxygen atom
Surface Forms
Morphology
beta-hydroxybutyric + acid
This is a specialized chemical term whose meaning depends on technical morphemes (beta-, hydroxy-, butyric) that a B1 learner will not know; knowing only the general word 'acid' does not allow derivation of the specific metabolic meaning. While the form is compositional for speakers with chemistry knowledge, for an average B1 learner the phrase is effectively idiomatic/technical and not transparently interpretable.
Etymology
Beta-hydroxybutyric acid is a name that shows its parts: beta means 'second', hydroxy means 'a part like water', and butyric comes from a word for 'butter', because similar acids were first found in butter long ago. So the name helps you remember that this acid is made when the body breaks down fat and is often seen in blood or urine during fasting or diabetes.
