alpha-ketoglutaric acid

[al-fuh-kee-toh-gloo-tar-ik, al-fuh-kee-]

noun Biochemistry.

a dibasic keto acid, C5H6O5, that occurs as an intermediate in the Krebs' cycle and in protein metabolism.

Origin of alpha-ketoglutaric acid

1905–10; keto- + glutaric (acid), probably blend of gluten (as in glutamic acid) and pyrotartaric acid; see pyro-, tartaric

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018