oxalacetate

1 9.2

A chemical in cells that helps make energy from food

noun
/ˌɑksəˈlæsəˌteɪt/

Specialized

: oxalacetato

Some supplements contain oxalacetate for potential cognitive benefits.

Examples

Oxalacetate plays a crucial role in the citric acid cycle of cellular metabolism.
The oxalacetate levels in the sample were surprisingly high.
The transamination of aspartate produces oxalacetate in the body.
What is oxalacetate?
Research shows that oxalacetate plays a critical role in the Krebs cycle, helping to produce energy in cells.
In plants, oxalacetate is involved in the process of photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy.
During the metabolic process, oxalacetate can be converted into glucose to provide energy for the organism.

Synonyms

oxaloacetate

vsoxalacetate

Specialized

1 9.5

A chemical made in cells that helps in energy reactions like the citric acid cycle

is the identical concept but uses a different spelling form

oxaloacetic acid

vsoxalacetate

Specialized

1 7.9

An acid with four carbon atoms that helps cells make energy in the citric acid cycle

is the salt or ester form rather than the acid itself

oxalacetic acid

vsoxalacetate

Specialized

8.8

A chemical in cells that helps make energy from food

is the salt or ester rather than the crystalline acid form

Surface Forms

oxalacetate singular

oxalacetates plural

Morphology

oxalacetate = acetate (opaque) = oxalo + acetate

The term is a specialized biochemical formation: 'acetate' is a chemistry word but 'oxalo-' is a technical combining form, so the overall meaning is not derivable by an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Oxalacetate comes from the parts oxal (an old plant name meaning 'sour' or 'acid') and acetate (from 'acetic', meaning 'vinegar'). So it is a chemical made of acid parts, which is why it is a salt or ester used in the cell's energy cycle.