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Glite Dictionary
pyruvic

pyruvic

1 8.1
Relating to a small chemical made in cells when they change sugar into energy
  • adjective
  • /paɪˈruːvɪk/
  • Specialized
: pirúvico
  • A deficiency in enzymes affecting pyruvic metabolism can lead to health problems.
  • pyruvic acid

Examples

  • The amount of pyruvic acid in the muscles increases after intense exercise, indicating better metabolic function.

  • The pyruvic acid pathway plays a crucial role in energy production within cells.

  • Researchers measured the pyruvic content in the blood samples after exercise.

  • The pyruvic acid plays a crucial role in energy production.

  • Scientists study pyruvic compounds to understand metabolism.

  • During glycolysis, glucose breaks down into pyruvic acid, which is essential for energy production.

  • Scientists study pyruvic acid to understand its role in cellular respiration and energy metabolism.

Compounds

pyruvic acid
  • Specialized
1 6.5

A colorless acid that cells make when they break down sugar

Surface Forms

pyruvic positive

Morphology

pyruvic = pyruvate + pyruvic acid (opaque) = pyruv + ic

The affix '-ic' regularly forms adjectives meaning 'relating to' a chemical noun (pyruvate/pyruvic acid), so the morphological operation is regular.

Etymology

Pyruvic comes from the chemical name pyruvic acid, and the start of that name is like the familiar pyro- meaning 'fire'. A helpful way to remember it is that pyruvic is a small 'fuel' molecule made in cells when they break down sugar to make energy.