pyruvic acid

American  

noun

Chemistry, Biochemistry.

1. a water-soluble liquid, C 3 H 4 O 3 , important in many metabolic and fermentative processes, having an odor resembling that of acetic acid, prepared by the dehydration of tartaric acid: used chiefly in biochemical research.

---

pyruvic acid British  

/ paɪˈruːvɪk /

noun

1. a colourless pleasant-smelling liquid formed as an intermediate in the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates, helping to release energy to the body; 2-oxopropanoic acid. Formula: CH 3 COCOOH

---

pyruvic acid Scientific  

/ pī-ro̅o̅′vĭk /

1. A colorless organic liquid formed by the breakdown of carbohydrates and sugars during cell metabolism. It is the final product of glycolysis and is converted into acetyl coenzyme A, which is required for the Krebs cycle. It is also used in the body to synthesize the amino acid alanine. Chemical formula: C ₃ H ₄ O ₃ .

---

Etymology

Origin of pyruvic acid

First recorded in 1830–40

Compare meaning

How does pyruvic-acid compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• pyruvate vs. pyruvic acid

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pyruvic acid

A carboxyl group is removed from pyruvic acid, releasing carbon dioxide as a gas.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Once the lactic acid has been removed from the muscle and circulated to the liver, it can be reconverted into pyruvic acid and further catabolized for energy.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Several enzymes in the cell are involved in converting glucose to pyruvic acid.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

At the beginning of the Krebs cycle, the three-carbon compound known as pyruvic acid created from glycolysis passes through the two membrane walls of the mitochondrion.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2018

Recently, fatty acids have been prepared from carbohydrates, by first breaking the hexoses down into three-carbon compounds, then carefully oxidizing these to pyruvic acid, CH3·CO·COOH, which can then be condensed into acids having longer chains.

From The Chemistry of Plant Life by Thatcher, Roscoe Wilfred