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Glite Dictionary
hydroxybutyric acid

hydroxybutyric acid

7.3
A chemical the body makes from fat that it uses for energy when you do not eat
  • noun
  • /haɪˌdrɒksɪˈbjuːtɪrɪk ˈæsɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ácido hidroxi butírico
  • One form of hydroxybutyric acid is used by the body as an energy source during fasting.

Examples

  • Researchers are studying how hydroxybutyric acid affects brain function in different metabolic conditions.

  • Laboratory tests detected elevated levels of hydroxybutyric acid in the patient's blood sample.

  • The study focused on hydroxybutyric acid levels in the brain.

  • Researchers found that hydroxybutyric acids can influence metabolism.

  • The laboratory found elevated levels of hydroxybutyric acid in the patient's blood sample.

  • During metabolic studies, scientists observed that hydroxybutyric acid serves as an energy source in the body.

  • The research team is examining the role of hydroxybutyric acid in regulating energy metabolism.

Synonyms

oxybutyric acid
vshydroxybutyric acid
  • Specialized
8.1

A chemical similar to butyric acid with an extra oxygen atom

is more specifically noted for common occurrence in biological systems

Surface Forms

hydroxybutyric acid singular
hydroxybutyric acids plural

Morphology

hydroxybutyric + acid

Formally the term is compositional: hydroxy- (a hydroxyl group) + butyric (from butyric acid) + acid denotes an acid that is a hydroxy derivative of butyric acid, so the meaning is predictable from the morphemes. However, these are specialized chemical/Latinate morphemes that an average B1 learner will not know, so understanding depends on domain knowledge rather than ordinary vocabulary knowledge.

Etymology

Hydroxybutyric acid comes from two parts: hydroxy (a small 'water-like' part) and butyric acid (an acid first found in 'butter'). So the name simply says it is butyric acid with an extra hydroxy part, which is why it refers to that specific acid the body can use for energy.